The Life and Work of Edward R. Murrow an archives exhibit

Europe

Essays by speakers from Europe.

Central Europe

Abrams, Charles, 1902-1970

Polish-born lawyer and author Charles Abrams tells of his faith in man despite his frequent uncertainty when confronted with the realities of war, greed and other instances of human weakness. However, he remains devoted to the ability of man to rely on his conscience to someday improve and perfect the world in which we live.

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Bronowski, Jacob, 1908-1974

Polish-born biologist and dramatist Jacob Bronowski describes his simultaneous introduction to mathematics and the English language, his love that developed for both subjects, and his belief in using one’s mind to find truth.

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Cori, Gerty T. (Gerty Theresa), 1896-1957

Czech-born biochemist Gerty Cori describes the advantages of immigrating to America, and her beliefs in modern science and the progress of humanity.

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Gassner, John, 1903-1967

Hungarian-born theater critic and producer John Gassner describes his abhorrence of dogma and his belief that humanism is the belief system that can enable humanity to make scientific progress without destroying itself.

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Gotesky, Rubin, 1906-

Polish-born university professor Rubin Gotesky relates an experience of feeling part of yet aloof from the universe, and describes his belief that though isolation is an essential part of the self, his actions do matter and can help to change the world.

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Hodder, Maximilian

Polish-born filmmaker Maximilian Hodder describes his experiences in prewar Poland, as a prisoner sent to a Siberian concentration camp, and as an immigrant to America, and summarizes his beliefs with the conviction that humanity is more good than evil, that individuals have a right to live the life of their choice, and that he has the responsibility to work to end oppression.

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Szigeti, Joseph, 1892-1973

Hungarian violinist Joseph Szigeti describes his efforts to avoid being stereotyped and to remain authentic to himself and also describes the obligation one has to work with and help other people.

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Eastern Europe

Chyz, Yaroslav J., 1894-1958Ukrainian-born journalist Yaroslav Chyz runs through many of the simple adages he lives by, but emphasizes that underlying them all is the “Golden Rule.”

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Hurok, Sol, 1888-1974Ukrainian-born impresario Sol Hurok recounts his experiences as an immigrant to America, and his vision for a venture that would bring classical artists to a popular audience.

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Katkov, NormanUkrainian-born author Norman Katkov describes his belief in the internal struggle between good and evil and his belief that conscience will help a person to overcome that evil.

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Mardikian, George M., 1903-Armenian-born restaurateur George Mardikian describes his Armenian custom of serving the staff of his restaurant on Christmas Day, his imprisonment and escape from Armenia, and the welcome and success he found in America.

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Orbeliani, IrakliGeorgian pianist Irakli Orbelianin talks about deserving happiness and peace through generosity and following the guidance of “The Supreme Being.”

Pregel, BorisUkrainian-born engineer Boris Pregel relates some of his experiences in Europe up to World War II to explain why charity, altruism and selflessness are so vital to his personal beliefs and adds that it is also important to live by one’s beliefs in order to maintain dignity.

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Richter, Mischa, 1910-2001Russian-born cartoonist Mischa Richter describes his youth and early career as an artist and the importance of generosity and humor.

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Zorach, William, 1889-1966Lithuanian-born sculptor and painter William Zorach believes that people have had their faith strained and that it is important to get in touch with one’s creative ability to communicate and define one’s feelings in order to progress towards a world of happiness and prosperity.

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Western Europe

Deutsch, Elizabeth

Austrian-born Elizabeth Deutsch describes her youthful search for beliefs, which has brought her into contact with many churches and thinkers, and her conclusion that she would live her life the same way whether a Deity exists or not.

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Gruenberg, Sidonie Matsner, 1881-1974

Austrian-born author Sidonie Gruenberg describes her belief in the importance of both family life and productive occupation outside the home, and recounts how she balanced those values in her own life.

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Guérard, Albert Léon, 1880-1959

French-born Albert Guérard describes his beliefs as a blend of old and new ideals that espouse liberty, progress, tolerance, and charity.

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Hagen, Uta, 1919-2004

German-born actor Uta Hagen describes her belief that, despite being threatened and blackmailed, she has been true to herself and her beliefs in art and simple acts that bring pleasure to others.

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Hammarskjöld, Dag, 1905-1961

Swedish Secretary General of the United Nations Dag Hammarskjöld describes his beliefs in the value of self-sacrifice and service to country and humanity, in the equality of individuals, in the importance of intellectual honesty, and in the rewards of selfless love and duty.

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Hasso, Signe, 1915-2002

Swedish actor Signe Hasso uses the parable of a painter attempting to create his masterpiece to describe her belief in the importance of refraining from judgement since it is impossible to know and understand the complicated events that bring a person to any moment or place in his or her life.

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Hauke, E.B.

Norwegian-born public officer E. B. Hauke describes how his beliefs were shaped by his experiences as an immigrant trying to achieve a better way of life: as a result, he believes in frugality, the wise use of resources, tolerance, kindness, humility, and the brotherhood of humanity.

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Hersholt, Jean, 1886-1956

Danish-born radio actor Jean Hersholt describes his belief that human relationships are “problems of arithmetic”: where there are few people, individuals realize their responsibility to help their neighbors, but in crowded areas, the responsibility is passed along to someone else. He notes that the world would be a better place if people remembered that they were in fact neighbors.

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Hubben, William, 1895-1974

German-born newspaper editor William Hubben describes how, despite his experiences in Nazi Germany and the popular lack of faith in social progress, he still maintains a belief in the meaning of life and faith in the moral values of the next generation.

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Kristoffersen, Magnus K.

Danish-born librarian Magnus Kristoffersen describes how reading has shaped his life, and describes the lessons he has derived from stories: from Sutton Vane’s Outward Bound, he has learned that he must give a final account of his actions, and from Selma Lagerlof’s Jerusalem, he has learned that trying to save one’s life at the expense of others merely backfires in the end.

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Kyrou, Alexēs Adōnidos, 1901-1969

Greek diplomat Alexis Kyrou explains the confluence of belief and knowledge and the importance of his Greek heritage to his beliefs and enumerates what some of these beliefs are: cooperation, the importance of a spiritual life, patriotism, and respect for others.

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Mann, Thomas, 1875-1955

German-born author Thomas Mann discusses the impermanence and transitory nature of life and explains why these qualities makes life special and valuable, and why man’s awareness of impermanence elevates his spirit.

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Mitropoulos, Dimitri, 1896-1960Greek-born conductor Dimitri Mitropolous describes two experiences that led him to his belief that talent and celebrity should be used to help others.

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Peters, RolloFrench-born theatrical director Rollo Peters explains his faith and wonder in people as individuals and the influence of friends on people’s lives, recalling his friendship with Edward Gordon Craig.

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Pons, Lily, 1898-1976

French-born soprano Lily Pons describes how she learned to deal with stage fright, and how an inner voice helped her persevere to become an opera singer.
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Reicher, Clement

German journalist Clement Reicher recounts a short allegory he wrote as a child which formed the basis for his belief that love must be personal (rather than idea-driven) and non-possessive, in order to increase happiness.
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Rieder, Edmond

French-born hotelier Edmond Rieder describes how his experiences with hotel guests have established his belief in the basic goodness of people, and he believes that practicing the Golden Rule and trying his best at his endeavors has led to personal satisfaction.
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Schlesinger, Edmond R.

Austrian-born social worker and college professor Edmond Schlesinger describes how World War II damaged his young belief in the essential kindness of humanity, but that he still remains confident that “man can become better.”
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Stark, Freya

French author and explorer Freya Stark talks about her belief in immortality and the afterlife and how this view of eternity affects her perspective and gives her and affinity for sincerity and truth.
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Trapp, Maria Augusta

Austrian-born Maria Trapp describes how she and her husband attempted to understand the Gospels’ instructions to “become like little children” and, by observing their own children, came to the conclusion that children live whole-heartedly in the present without worrying about the past or future.
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Weinreb, Joseph

Austrian-born psychiatrist Joseph Weinreb reflects on ethics and morality and resolves that nothing is created bad or evil but becomes so through misdirection; and love, compassion, and hard work are means by which we can achieve a harmonious world.
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Werner, Herbert L.

German-born Herbert Werner, head of Werner Textile Consultants, would like to add an eleventh commandment: to be kind to everyone. He also explains why kindness is important and how following this commandment has positively affected his life.
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