Rudolf Wilke was born in Germany in 1873. He studied Fine Art at Munich and Paris before setting up a studio with his friend, Bruno Paul. He became a regular contributor to Die Jugend before Albert Langenrecruited Wilke to work for Simplicissimus .

In 1906 several staff members, including Wilke, Olaf Gulbransson, Ludwig Thoma, Bruno Paul, Thomas Heine, Edward Thonyand Rudolf Wilke persuaded Albert Langen to change Simplicissimus into a joint stock company. This gave more power to the staff to control the direction of the journal. Rudolf Wilke died in 1908.