The Encyclopedia Americana (1920)/Blankenburg, Rudolph

BLANKENBURG, Rudolph, American public official: b. Lippe-Detmold, Germany, 16 Feb. 1843. He was educated in his native city, and in 1865, in his 22d year, came to the United States, where, first as a traveling salesman and later as manufacturer, he acquired great wealth, retiring from business in 1909. From 1877 he interested himself in civic improvement and reform politics in Philadelphia; in 1905 was elected county commissioner, and in 1911 and again in 1913 mayor of the city. As an able administrator he contributed largely to improved local conditions. In earlier years he was a world-wide traveler. He also became known by his numerous magazine and newspaper articles on social, economic and religious questions.