Archive Comité Albert Schweitzer

Brief overview

Name of the archive: Archive Comité Albert Schweitzer tegen Atoombomproeven

Provenance: Stichting Bierens de Haan(?)

Dated: 1957

Size: 3 archives boxes

Language of the materials: Dutch, German, English, Esperanto

Summary:

Archive of the Groningen based committee ‘Albert Schweitzer’ against nuclear weapons testing, which was founded after a radio speech made by Albert Schweitzer on 3 May 1957.

Archive number: UBG059

Institute: University of Groningen

Retainer: University Library Groningen

Provenance and acquisition

Biography

There were two contributing events to the founding of the committee. The first was Dr Albert Schweitzer’s speech, which was aired on radio 3 May 1957 by the broadcaster VPRO. The second event was an open forum held on 24 May 1957 in Groningen. At this meeting, A. Viruly and professor of theoretical physics H.J. Groenewold cautioned the attendees against the unimaginable consequences of nuclear weapons testing. Five days later, the committee ‘Albert Schweitzer tegen atoombomproefnemingen’ (Albert Schweitzer against nuclear weapons testing). It consisted of several teachers, a lecturer, a propagandist, a pensioner, a housewife and a civil servant. Their idea was to collect signatures from those across the country who shared their worries regarding the progress of nuclear weapons and the consequences of nuclear weapons testing. These signatures would, known to the Dutch government, then be presented to the United Nations. The committee would request the United Nations to do everything in their might to come to an international agreement that would stop nations from experimenting with weapons of mass destruction.

Acquisition   

The archive was gifted to the University Library.

Future additions

No future additions to the archive are expected.

Contents and collation

The archive contains a lot of correspondence about the collecting of signatures. The committee Albert Schweitzer was in touch with the AAA and several other pacifist/anti-nuclear weapons groups. They corresponded about their signature collecting, and about a film about Hiroshima. The archive also contains brochures, newspapers, periodicals and other print materials about nuclear weapons and pacificism. Some of the materials in this archive do not have a clear connection to the committee.

Instructions for users of the archive

Accessibility

The archive is accessible for research purposes. To look at the archive, a University Library Access Pass is required.

Limitations to use

The materials in this archive are available for viewing only. They cannot be borrowed. When consulting these materials, the rules set out in the Reglement voor de gebruikers van de Bibliotheek der Rijksuniversiteit Groningen apply. Reproductions, insofar as they are allowed, are to be made in line with the rules set out in the Tarieven en diensten Bibliotheek der Rijksuniversiteit Groningen.

Accessing the archive

An inventory of the archive is available.

Citations

When referencing (materials from) this archive, the following information must be provided in full at least once. After this, an abbreviated citation suffices.

• Archive: University Library Groningen, Archive Comité Albert Schweitzer

• Individual items: Groningen, UB, Comité Albert Schweitzer

Requests

The materials in this archive can be requested by sending a mail to the Special Collections department.