Karl Marx
Born 1818 · Age 207
German philosopher, political theorist, economist, journalist and revolutionary socialist; co-author of The Communist Manifesto (1848) and author of Das Kapital (Vol I 1867).
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Life & Career Timeline
Birth in Trier, Prussia
Karl Heinrich Marx born to Heinrich Marx and Henriette Pressburg in Trier (Kingdom of Prussia).
Baptised into Lutheran Church
Karl Marx and his surviving siblings were baptised into the Lutheran Church.
Entered Trier Gymnasium
After private education by his father, Marx enrolled at the Friedrich Wilhelm Gymnasium (Trier High School).
Graduated Trier Gymnasium
Marx received his school-leaving certificate from Trier Gymnasium.
Enrolled at University of Bonn
Marx matriculated at the University of Bonn as a law student (wished to study philosophy but father insisted on law).
Engaged to Jenny von Westphalen
Marx became engaged to Jenny von Westphalen (their engagement lasted seven years before marriage).
Duel and student excesses at Bonn
While at Bonn Marx took part in a duel and was active in student clubs; later transferred to University of Berlin.
Transferred to University of Berlin
Marx moved to Berlin to continue legal studies and became involved with the Young Hegelians and Hegelian philosophy.
Death of father Heinrich Marx
Marx's father died in May 1838, reducing the family's income and affecting Marx personally.
Awarded Ph.D. from University of Jena
Doctorate in philosophy for thesis 'The Difference Between the Democritean and Epicurean Philosophy of Nature'.
Joined Rheinische Zeitung (journalism)
Marx began contributing to the Cologne newspaper Rheinische Zeitung and became its editor-in-chief on 15 October 1842.
Resigned as editor after censorship and ban
Under pressure from Prussian authorities the Rheinische Zeitung was suppressed and Marx resigned; he began moving toward exile.
Married Jenny von Westphalen
Marx married Jenny von Westphalen in Bad Kreuznach after a seven-year engagement.
Moved to Paris; co-editor of Deutsch-Französische Jahrbücher
Marx moved to Paris and co-edited the Deutsch–Französische Jahrbücher; began intensive studies in political economy.
Wrote Economic and Philosophic Manuscripts (1844)
Composed the Paris Manuscripts covering alienation and critique of political economy (written Apr–Aug 1844).
Birth of daughter Jenny Caroline
Marx's eldest daughter Jenny (Jenny Caroline) was born in Paris.
Met Friedrich Engels
First meeting with Engels at the Café de la Régence; began lifelong collaboration and friendship.
Expelled from France; moved to Brussels
French government shut down Vorwärts! and expelled Marx; he settled in Brussels and continued collaboration with Engels.
Publication: The Holy Family (with Engels)
Marx and Engels published The Holy Family (critique of Bruno Bauer) — one of their early collaborative works.
Wrote 'Theses on Feuerbach'
Composed the eleven Theses on Feuerbach, articulating early form of historical materialism (Thesis 11: 'The point is to change the world').
Renounced Prussian nationality
Due to mounting persecution, Marx renounced Prussian citizenship (formally renounced on 1 December 1845).
Set up Communist Correspondence Committee
With Engels Marx helped establish the Brussels Communist Correspondence Committee to unite socialists across countries.
Communist League reorganisation; tasked to write manifesto
The League of the Just reorganised into the Communist League; Marx and Engels asked to draft a programme (the Manifesto).
Published The Poverty of Philosophy
Marx published The Poverty of Philosophy (response to Proudhon), clarifying his scientific-socialist position.
Birth of son Edgar
Marx's son Edgar was born in Brussels (29 Nov–1 Dec 1847 recorded).
Received family inheritance (disputed amount)
Marx reportedly received an inheritance (sources give either 5,000 or 6,000 francs). He allegedly used part to finance political activity; amounts and use partially disputed.
Publication: The Communist Manifesto
Marx and Engels published Manifest der Kommunistischen Partei (The Communist Manifesto) on 21 Feb 1848 — foundational pamphlet of Marxism.
Founded Neue Rheinische Zeitung (editor-in-chief)
Marx launched and edited the daily Neue Rheinische Zeitung in Cologne (first issue dated 1 June 1848) to promote democratic and proletarian positions.
Suppression and legal harassment of Neue Rheinische Zeitung
The paper and Marx were regularly harassed; Marx faced trials (acquitted) and the paper was finally suppressed in 1849.
Ordered to leave Prussia
Prussian authorities ordered Marx to leave the country; his political activities made him persona non grata in the German states.
Arrived in London (permanent exile)
Marx moved to London (arrived 26 Aug 1849 after expulsion from Paris/Prussia) and settled there for the rest of his life.
Family reunited in London
Marx's family joined him in London (family arrived/sealed up in Sep 1849).
Resigned from German Workers' Educational Society
Marx resigned after internal disputes with Willich/Schapper faction; internal splits over tactics continued.
Birth of daughter Franziska
Marx's daughter Franziska was born in London (28 March 1851).
Death of daughter Franziska (child mortality)
Marx's daughter Franziska died on 14 April 1852, a personal tragedy for the family.
Publication: The Eighteenth Brumaire of Louis Bonaparte
Marx wrote The Eighteenth Brumaire (1852), analysing class struggle and political repetition; printed in New York in 1852.
First article in New-York Daily Tribune
Marx's first article for the New-York Daily Tribune was published on 21 Aug 1852; he served as their European correspondent (ca.1852–1862).
Birth of daughter Eleanor Marx
Marx's daughter Eleanor (Leonie) was born in London on 16 January 1855.
Death of son Edgar Marx
Marx's son Edgar died in London on 6 April 1855 at age eight (gastric fever).
Wrote/compiled Grundrisse (1857–1858)
Marx composed the Grundrisse notebooks (1857–1858), important preparatory material for Das Kapital (published posthumously).
Summed up economic studies; groundwork for Capital
From July 1857 to March 1859 Marx consolidated his economic studies preparing the ground for Capital (Theories of surplus value research etc.).
Published A Contribution to the Critique of Political Economy
Marx published the 1859 Contribution (Part I), an important precursor to Das Kapital.
Worked on core manuscript of Capital; Theories of Surplus Value
Between 1861–1863 Marx worked intensively on the manuscripts that would form key parts of Capital, including Theories of Surplus Value.
Death of Marx's mother Henriette
Marx's mother Henriette died in Trier on 30 November 1863.
Involvement in founding International Workingmen's Association (First International)
At St. Martin's Hall (London) the IWA was formed; Marx was elected to the General Council and became a leading figure in the First International.
Publication: Das Kapital, Volume I
Volume I of Das Kapital (Capital) was published on 14 September 1867 — Marx's major economic work critiquing capitalism.
Contributions: Der Volksstaat and German socialist press
Marx and Engels began contributing to various German socialist publications and popularising International ideas (ongoing involvement with German socialists).
Corresponding secretary for Russia (IWA)
Responding to the Russian section's request Marx became the General Council's corresponding secretary for Russia (24 March 1870).
Wrote addresses on the Franco-Prussian War
Marx wrote First and Second Addresses of the General Council (July–Sept 1870) analysing the conflict and calling for proletarian responses.
Paris Commune and response
The Paris Commune established March–May 1871; Marx and Engels mobilised support and Marx wrote 'The Civil War in France' (address approved 30 May 1871).
Russian translation of Volume I of Capital published
The first foreign (Russian) translation of Capital Volume I was published (date recorded as March 1872), extending Marx's influence.
Hague Congress of the First International
Marx and Engels participated in the Hague Congress (2–7 Sep 1872) where the anarchist faction (Bakunin) was expelled and organisational battles occurred.
Wrote 'Critique of the Gotha Programme'
Marx sent marginal notes on the draft Gotha Programme (May 1875) — critical evaluation of the unity programme of German socialists (published posthumously).
Studied mathematics and sciences late in life
From 1878–1882 Marx studied mathematics, agrochemistry, geology and other sciences as part of ongoing research for later volumes of Capital.
Contributed to German underground newspaper Der Sozialdemokrat
Marx and Engels contributed to Der Sozialdemokrat (new paper for German social-democrats forced underground) starting Sep 1879.
Death of wife Jenny Marx
Jenny von Westphalen Marx died in London after a long illness on 2 December 1881; significant personal loss late in Marx's life.
Health deterioration; rest cures in Algeria and France
With failing health Marx spent parts of 1882 resting in Algeria, southern France and Switzerland, visiting daughters intermittently.
Death of daughter Jenny (eldest)
Marx's eldest daughter Jenny died at Argenteuil near Paris (11 January 1883); family tragedies continued.
Death in London
Karl Marx died in London on 14 March 1883 (bronchitis and declining health); he died stateless and in relative material poverty.
Burial at Highgate Cemetery
Marx was buried in Highgate Cemetery, London; later the grave became a place of pilgrimage for socialists.
Engels publishes Das Kapital Volume II (posthumous)
After Marx's death Engels edited and published Volume II of Das Kapital (1885) from Marx's manuscripts.
Engels publishes Das Kapital Volume III (posthumous)
Engels completed and published Volume III of Das Kapital (1894) based on Marx's notes and manuscripts.
Posthumous publication: The German Ideology (with Engels, written 1845–46)
Marx and Engels' German Ideology (written 1845–46) was first published in 1932, decades after it was written.
Gravestone inscribed by Communist Party of Great Britain
The Communist Party of Great Britain etched a line from The Communist Manifesto and a quote from the Theses on Feuerbach on Marx's headstone in 1954.
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