The Encyclopedia Americana (1920)/Blum, Robert

BLUM, Robert, German patriot: b. Cologne, 10 Nov. 1807; d. Vienna, 9 Nov. 1848. He served for a short time in the army, and became subsequently connected with the Leipzig Theatre, of which he acted for some time as secretary and treasurer. He founded the Schillerverein at Leipzig in 1840 and within the next few years was established as a bookseller and publisher there. About the year 1840 he began to come prominently forward as the champion of the Liberal cause and acquired much renown as a popular orator. On the outbreak of the commotions of 1848 he manifested great enthusiasm and became soon the rallying-point of democracy in Saxony and the leading member of opposition in the National Assembly at Frankfort, to which he was sent that year as member for Leipzig. The events of October at Vienna inspired him with fresh energy and he proceeded thither at the head of a deputation to express the sympathy of the German democrats in the Frankfort Assembly with the Viennese. He took an active part in the conflict of the citizens with the imperialists; but on the surrender of the capital to Windischgrätz, was arrested with several of his companions on 4 November. Brought before a military tribunal, he pleaded in vain his privileges as a deputy from the German Diet and was condemned to be hanged, a sentence which was changed to death by the bullet. Consult Blum, Hans, ‘Robert Blum’ (Leipzig 1878).