Marx, Karl, German socialist, was born at Trèves, Prussia, May 5, 1818. It was at first intended that he should be a lawyer, but at the Universities of Bonn and Berlin he gave most of his time to history and philosophy. In 1842 be became editor of a democratic newspaper, the Rhenish Gazette. In 1843 he went to Paris, then the headquarters of socialism. He soon began the writing and labor for the advancement of socialism which made the work of his life. Driven from France in 1845, he settled in Brussels, where he wrote his attack on Proudhon’s philosophy. His chief work at Brussels was the reorganization of the communistic league, for which he wrote the famous Manifesto. Marx took an active part in the Revolution of 1848, and after its failure settled in London. In 1859 he published his Criticism of Political Economy, which showed a remarkable knowledge of the economic growth of modern Europe. He was foremost in founding the International Society. His greatest book, Capital, came out in 1867. This book, as also his other works, shows him to have been a man of wonderful knowledge handled with masterly skill. Marx, much more than any other man, influenced the labor movement throughout the world. He died at London, March 14, 1883. See Labor and Socialism.
