Career
As a child, he emigrated to the Union of South Africa with his family. From an early age Blum was already able to speak several languages, including German and Italian. (Kannemeyer: 1993)
After studying literature at the University of Cape Town and at the University of Stellenbosch, he took up a position as a librarian in Cape Town and, later, in Kroonstad in the Orange Free State.
Blum married Henrietta Cecilia Smit, a South African art teacher, in 1955.
(Kannemeyer: 1983)
Blum was twice denied South African citizenship. Kannemeyer (1993) speculates that citizenship was denied because of Blum"s vociferous opposition to the predominantly white government"s racial policies.
(Kannemeyer: 1993). He died in London on 5 December 1990, aged 65.