Karl Marx (1818–1883) was a German philosopher, economist, sociologist, and revolutionary theorist, and one of the founding figures of Marxism, whose ideas profoundly shaped modern world history. Born in Trier, Prussia, Marx spent the majority of his life in London, where he conducted extensive research and authored numerous influential works.

Marx’s most significant theoretical contributions were historical materialism and the theory of surplus value. He argued that the development of human society is determined by the mode of material production, and that class struggle serves as the fundamental driving force behind social change. In economics, Marx offered a deep analysis of the mechanisms underlying capitalist systems, demonstrating how capitalists extract profit by appropriating workers’ surplus labor, thereby exposing the inherent contradictions within the capitalist system.

His seminal works include The Communist Manifesto (co-authored with Friedrich Engels) and Das Kapital. These texts systematically laid out the theoretical foundations for proletarian liberation and social progress, exerting a profound influence on 20th‑century political thought, social movements, and the developmental trajectories of numerous nations.

Marx was not only a towering theorist but also an active social activist. Throughout his life, he dedicated himself to the workers’ movement and the cause of international communism, and is widely regarded as one of the key founders of modern social science and critical theory.

Karl Marx (1818–1883) was a German philosopher, economist, sociologist, and revolutionary theorist, best known as one of the founders of Marxism. Born in Trier, Prussia, he later spent much of his life in London conducting research and writing.