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Wilhelm Georg Rapp (1827–1907) was a Jewish German American journalist, abolitionist, and newspaper editor. He was born in Lindau, Bavaria, but grew up in Baden.[1] As a student at University of Tübingen Rapp participated in the German revolution of 1848, and was imprisoned for a year for his activities. Upon his release Rapp lived in Switzerland, where he taught school before emigrating to the United States in 1852.
Wilhelm Rapp | |
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Born | July 14, 1827 |
Died | February 28, 1907 (age 80) |
Resting place | Graceland Cemetery |
Nationality | German-American |
Alma mater | University of Tübingen |
Occupation(s) | Journalist, editor, abolitionist |
Known for | Illinois Staats-Zeitung, Baltimore Wecker |
Political party | Republican |
Rapp edited Die Turnzeitung in Philadelphia and Cincinnati, then moved to Baltimore in 1857 to become editor of the Baltimore Wecker. Rapp's anti-secessionist and anti-slavery views made him the target of mob violence, and in 1861 he narrowly escaped lynching by fleeing to Washington D.C. disguised as a minister.
While in Washington, Rapp met with Abraham Lincoln, who offered him the position of postmaster general. Rapp declined, instead moving to Chicago to work for the Illinois Staats-Zeitung. In 1891, upon the death of his friend, chief editor Hermann Raster, Rapp accepted the position and stayed as editor until his death at age 80 as a result of a streetcar accident on February 28, 1907. He and his wife Gesine had three daughters: Emilie, Frida, and Mathilda, and a son, William Jr.
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