The New International Encyclopædia/Blum, Robert

BLUM, Robert (1807-48). A German patriot. He was born in very humble circumstances in Cologne, November 10, 1807, and after a brief military service in 1830, became scene-shifter, and afterwards secretary of a theatre in Cologne, and subsequently in Leipzig. In this situation he remained, devoting his leisure time to literature and politics until 1847, when he established himself as a bookseller and publisher. In 1840 he founded in Leipzig the Schillerverein, which celebrated the poet's anniversary, as a festival in honor of political liberty. In 1845 he acquired great reputation as a popular orator in connection with the German Catholic movement, and particularly through his action at a turbulent meeting of armed citizens and students of Leipzig, whom he dissuaded from storming the barracks. He became the champion of the Liberal Party of Saxony on the outbreak of the Revolution of February, 1848, and was elected vice-president of the Preliminary Parliament at Frankfort. In the National Assembly he became leader of the Left; and was one of the bearers of a congratulatory address from the Left to the people of Vienna when they rose in October. In Vienna he joined the Students' Corps, was arrested, and shot on November 9. Blum was a man of strong intelligence and great oratorical power. Consult Hans Blum, Robert Blum (Leipzig, 1878).