Blum

Blum, Robert, born at Cologne in 1807, of poor parents, was apprenticed to a trade, but became a clerk, and in 1831 was appointed secretary of the Leipzig theatre. He then engaged himself actively both in literature and politics, writing several books and starting the Schiller-Verein, the Literatur-Verein, and other societies. His influence with the people prevented an outbreak at Leipzig in 1845, and after the revolution of 1848 he was sent as a democrat to the National Convention. He joined the besieged insurgents in Vienna later in the year, was made prisoner, and shot. He has since been regarded as a martyr in the popular cause.