Category Archives: sonnets

Noel-Baker spent his life in Peace work and disarmament. He worked tirelessly on many global initiatives for peace, drew Nations together at conferences and the U.N. with encouragement To stop arms-building and disarm – through agreements, rescue International relationships on tenterhooks, make amends, Begin to trust – and save the future of mankind. Without disarmament,Continue reading “1959 – Philip John Noel-Baker”

Pire, from Belgium, escaped the Nazi’s cleansing While his grandfather died and the family fled to France. Returning, their small town in ruins, they worked the remains To rebuild. He took vows as a monk, and grabbed the chance To wed his pastor’s theology with his strong belief In helping the displaced and their children,Continue reading “1958 – George Pire”

Pearson was awarded the Prize specifically for his skill At achieving creative negotiated solutions to still Ongoing dissension between neighboring states, testing International peacekeeping forces in the Middle East, wresting Wrangling Israel and Egypt, unwillingly, to the table And through prolonged U.N. mediation. He was able, Throughout his life of international public service, To useContinue reading “1957 – Lester Bowles Pearson”

The Office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees Received the Prize with the goal of shedding light On the unending plight of post-war millions, foundering among pleas For political asylum, refusing repatriation, their human right Under the U.N.’s Declaration of Human Rights from ’48. Many were fleeing Eastern European communism, overtaking, While the youngContinue reading “1954 – Office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees“

Marshall was the one who told Truman about the bomb, A secret. He felt that the day would certainly come When we’d ‘have to use it’ – probably against Japan, Or the (second) World War’s ragings would never be done . . . Making him the messenger of mindless massacre In too few minds. WhatContinue reading “1953 – George Catlett Marshall – 2”

General Marshall received the Prize in ’53 for both His caring for the welfare of all soldiers -wherever stationed Around the world, and for the ‘Marshall Plan,’ whose growth Secured economic recovery for Europe’s many nations. Reviving post-war Europe reduced hunger, desperation and communism’s Encroaching influence, supporting democratic pluralism. Marshall had a long history ofContinue reading “1953 – George Catlett Marshall“

Schweitzer helped prepare colonial Africa to survive The World Wars he lived through. Although not political, He was asked to further his philosophical writings on life With remarks – by the U.N. and others, critical And concerned about nuclear weapons and the ease With which new modes of warfare had taken unquestioned world ‘place.’ HeContinue reading “1952 – Albert Schweitzer – 2”

Albert Schweitzer was born in Alsace, then-Germany, And studied theology, music, medicine and philosophy. He decided to dedicate his life to humanitarian work When he learned of Congo mission needs. He struck Out for Africa, with his nurse and wife, Hélène. It was there he built a hospital and practice, Lambaréné. There, patients by theContinue reading “1952 – Albert Schweitzer“

Joyaux, born in 1879, lived Until three years after his Peace Prize was given. His life spanned a half-century of pro-labor efforts. He was prolific on what helped bring Peace . . . and what hurt it. He had fought against War, what was it good for? He had stood for workers’ rights that madeContinue reading “1951 – Leon Jouhaux – 2”

Leon Jouhaux received the Prize in ‘51 For his leadership in global labor rights: he pushed forward! He believed that “lasting peace” could only come By bringing up living standards, with labor at the fore. His father worked at a match factory and was often sick, Eventually blind. Young Leon at 12 worked there too,Continue reading “1951 – Leon Jouhaux”