Blum

Blum, ROBERT, born in very humble circumstances at Cologne in 1807, was secretary and treasurer of a theatre at Cologne, and subsequently at Leipzig, until 1847, when he established himself as bookseller and publisher. His leisure was devoted to literature and politics, and in 1840 he founded at Leipzig the Schiller Society, which celebrated the poet's anniversary, as a festival in honour of political liberty. When the revolutionary movement broke out in 1848, Blum was one of its most energetic leaders. He was elected one of the vice-presidents of the provisional parliament at Frankfurt, and as such ruled that turbulent assembly by presence of mind and a stentorian voice. 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. At Vienna he joined the insurgents, was arrested, and was shot on the 9th November. Blum was a man of strong character, great natural intelligence, and stirring eloquence. The news of his execution excited great indignation among the democrats in Germany, who, besides instituting commemorations for the dead, made an ample subscription for his widow and children. See the Life by his son (Leip. 1878).