Karl Marx

About the author

Born in Trier in 1818, Karl Marx earned a doctorate in philosophy from the University of Jena before radical journalism and Hegelian thought set him on a path that would reshape modern history. Developing the theory of historical materialism, he analyzed capitalism's class contradictions and argued that the proletariat would ultimately overthrow the system. With Friedrich Engels he co-authored The Communist Manifesto (1848), and in London produced his magnum opus, Das Kapital.

His ideas, collectively known as Marxism, went on to inspire revolutions across the globe. He died in London in 1883.