Blum (Robert) born in Cologne, November 10, 1807. His father (unsuccessful 
budding theologian) [became a] journeyman? cooper. “Mother, a servant from the 
country, earned additional income by sewing.” Father ¢ 1815: “entire responsibility 
for supporting the 3 children fell to the mother”. In 1816 she married an 
absolutely brutal bargee> (first smuggler, later a soldier in the service of Spain and 
Portugal). Unhappy marriage. Appalling peak of distress in the famine year of 
1816-17. 1817 [Robert Blum] sent to elementary school. 1819 communion; then 
employed as acolyte, “which entailed free tuition in the church school” as well as 
bringing in money. Clash with the priests because of embezzlement and over 
transubstantiation. Breach of the sacred seal of confession. End of his religious 
activity. Artisan first as goldsmith, then girdler; journeyman’s travels; “finally had 
to return to Cologne. There found work in a lantern factory”. “The boss, 
F. W. Schmitz, [...] transferred him to the office’, took him on trips to London, 
Wiurttemberg, Bavaria; lived for six months in Munich. Then to Berlin; studied 
there diligently (1829-30). Self-taught< Military service in the meantime. “In April 
1830 Blum had to join the fusilier battalion of the 24th Infantry Regiment in 
Prenzlau, [...] only for 6 weeks, [...] was placed on the reserve.”” Meanwhile Schmitz 
to Belgium and France. Blum had to return to Cologne, where his father ill and 
unable to earn. Becomes a theatre employee (to help the family) under director 
Ringelhardt. “As such he had to handle all the dealings between director and 
actors, [...] to deliver parts and money, to announce performances and rehearsals.” 
“In addition” Blum “was a poet, and was in touch with several respected editorial 
boards.[...]| The then precarious times allowed htm to be less sensitive at times to 
this [incongruity, earned him a standing in the social life of Cologne far 
exceeding his material circumstances at the time”. Blum one of those who set the 
tone for the politicising circles of Cologne. Writes for freedom “in the face of the 
‘tremendous’4 obstacles raised by censorship”.... “His own studies at this time 

included nothing less than the entire dramatic literature insofar as it was available 
at the Cologne Theatre Library.” In 1831 Ringelhardt left Cologne. Blum a bailiff’s 
clerk. In the winter again a theatre employee. Became theatre secretary and 
assistant cashier for Ringelhardt in Leipzig; after a few years head cashier. Writes 
contributions to Komet, Abend-Zeitung and Elegante Zeitung.2 The Theaterlexikon with 
Herlossohn and Marggraff, Verfassungsfreund with Steger (3rd issue confiscated, 
and that was the end of that), the pocket book Vorwarts. 

Blum’s political activity began in 1837, when, as spokesman of the deputation at 
the Leipzig citizens’ celebration for deputies Todt and Dieskau, he presented them 
with cups of honour. In 1840 among the first founders of the Schiller Association, 
from 1841 its president, promoter of this “fine annual celebration”. “In 1840 takes 
part in the initial preparations for the Writers’ Association, its co-president from 
1841.” Sdchsische Vaterlands-Blatter. “Buys himself a property which, according to 
the stipulations of the Constitution, makes him eligible to the town council and the 
Provincial Diet.” Ronge’s letter calling for a reform of the Catholic Church >; Blum 
supported it in the Vaterlands-Blatter; from 1845 heads a community of the 
German-Catholic Society. 

(Up to here Blum’s own biography both in Meyer and Steger.) 

On August 12, 1845 a detachment of riflemen (Leipzig) fired on 
a crowd in the midst of which excesses against a prince of the 
royal house‘ had earlier been committed, 7 people killed, not one 
of them a rioter; the civil guard partly not summoned, partly held 
aside on the square itself. Terrible unrest in the morning meetings 
of citizens and students to storm the riflemen’s barracks. 

“Blum [...] spoke in favour of observing the legal procedures. Everyone 
followed him to the riflemen’s house, where for several days orderly discussions 
took place on how to exact atonement for the blood that had been shed.” Blum 
taken to court for various speeches. The Sdchsische Vaterlands-Blatter suppressed. In 
1847 Blum also prosecuted for a protest of the Leipzig citizens against the 
extraordinary assembly of the estates of 1847 as being unconstitutional. Blum gives 
up his job as theatre cashier and founds a bookseller’s. Writes Weihnachtsbaum 
(biographies of free-thinking Germans) and a Staatslexikon für das deutsche Volk. “In 
autumn 1847 elected an unpaid member of the municipal council by the Leipzig city 
councilmen. The district board withheld its confirmation”; written appeal by Blum. 
“His political activity in Leipzig now devoted to the ‘Oratory Society’, which he founded 
with men of like mind.” February 1848 worked [‘‘to overthrow the government’’]. 
“Central figure of his party for all Saxony.” Founds the Fatherland Association, soon 
more than 40,000 members; resumes publication of the Vaierlands-Blatier. Blum 
vice-president in the Preliminary Parliament, averts the threatening breach between 
north and south. “Opposed to the mass withdrawal of the Left.” Member of the 
Committee of Fifty. Elected to the Frankfurt Parliament. Blum’s “coquetry in all 
directions” and vacillation. In his report on his activity in parliament [he wrote]: “We 
want, then, the republic at the head of the whole state. But while we want this, we 
decidedly reject the idea of ever laying a hand on the transformation of conditions in 

the individual states—we would consider that a misfortune and a piece of folly. Our 
fatherland is constructed in such a way that its tribes must remain independent; on 
this rests its most beautiful life. And there is not a man in Germany who would commit 
the folly, if he could, of intervening in the conditions of the individual states in favour 
of republican forms.... No, my fellow citizens! It is a lie that has made us think of the 
creation of individual republics; we would be the first to oppose efforts of an entirely 
republican National Assembly to intervene in the individual states.” 

“When the news of the Vienna rising reached Frankfurt, Blum was the first to 
propose issuing an address. [...] Extreme Left and Left came together. [...] Blum, 
Frébel, Dr. Trampusch and Moritz Hartmann were chosen to deliver the address. 
On October 13 they left Frankfurt, [...] 17th October in Vienna. The City Council 
received them at a plenary meeting. Blum acts as spokesman. [...] From his reports 
in the Reichstagszeitung one sees that the movement completely captivated him.” 
Glowing admiration for the Viennese; enters the hall armed. “Commands a 
barricade in the days of the fighting. [...] After the storming of Vienna Blum stays 
calmly in his hotel when it is surrounded by soldiers”, he is taken prisoner. “Blum 
denied not a single speech or action” in front of his judges. On November 8 death 
by the rope, the bullet substituted out of mercy. Early on November 9 shot in the 
Brigittenau. Leaves a widow’ and 4 children. Solemn memorial ceremony. 
Collection of 40,000 talers for them. “Stormy meeting of the National Assembly on 
November 14”; von Schmerling: “Those who venture into peril perish in it.” > “Stern 
features.” ©