Friedrich Engels

German philosopher and revolutionary socialist, co-author of The Communist Manifesto.

Chronology: 1820-11-28 – 1895

Early Radicalization and Industrial Awakening

Friedrich Engels began his life in Barmen, Prussia, rejecting his family's Pietist values to embrace a materialist philosophy. His early radicalism led him to the Young Hegelians in Berlin. A pivotal shift occurred in 1842 when he was sent to Manchester, England, to work in a cotton mill. His direct exposure to the industrial working class there served as the catalyst for his first major theoretical contribution, The Condition of the Working Class in England.

The Formative Partnership with Marx

Engels established a permanent intellectual partnership with Karl Marx in Paris starting in 1844. Together, they developed their materialist conception of history, critiquing prevailing idealist philosophies. This collaboration culminated in their active participation in the Communist League, leading to the co-authoring of The Communist Manifesto. Following the tumultuous Revolutions of 1848, Engels settled in Manchester, where he maintained a respectable life as a merchant while providing vital financial backing to the Marx family.

The Architect of Global Socialism

After retiring from commerce in 1870, Engels took a central role in the International Workingmen's Association. Upon Marx's death in 1883, Engels dedicated his remaining years to editing and popularizing their shared philosophy. His own works, such as Anti-Dühring and Socialism: Utopian and Scientific, were crucial in establishing Marxism as a foundational global text, cementing his legacy as a leading authority on revolutionary socialism.

Source: Wikipedia