Karl Marx; Friedrich Engels

About the Author

Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels, the intellectual architects of modern socialism, were 19th-century philosophers, economists, and revolutionaries whose ideas profoundly shaped global political thought. Born in 1818 in Trier, Germany, Marx studied law and philosophy before immersing himself in radical journalism and economic theory, while Engels, born in 1820 in Barmen, Germany, managed his family's textile business and became a key collaborator. Together, they critiqued capitalism's exploitative nature, advocating for a classless society through proletarian revolution. Their seminal work, The Communist Manifesto, published in 1848, remains a cornerstone of Marxist theory, influencing labor movements, revolutions, and academic discourse worldwide. Despite personal hardships, including exile and poverty, their partnership endured until Marx's death in 1883, with Engels continuing their legacy until 1895.