Karl Marx

1818–1883 (age 65)

Philosopher, Economist

Biography

Karl Marx was a German philosopher, economist, and political theorist whose ideas profoundly shaped modern history. Born in 1818, he developed a comprehensive critique of political economy and capitalism that became foundational to socialist and communist movements worldwide. His monumental work Das Kapital and the Communist Manifesto, co-authored with Friedrich Engels, remain essential texts for understanding modern political and economic thought.

Marx spent much of his life in exile, conducting research and writing while living in relative poverty in London. Despite personal hardships and health struggles, his intellectual output was extraordinary, influencing philosophers, economists, historians, and political leaders across generations. He died in 1883, but his legacy continues to generate scholarly debate and remains central to political discourse in the twenty-first century.