Frederick Engels

Friedrich Engels

Frederick Engels

Frederick Engels (November 28, 1820-August 5, 1895) was a German philosopher, critic of political economy, historian, theorist, and revolutionary socialist. He was also a businessman, journalist, and political activist. Engels, together with his friend and coworker Karl Marx, developed what is now known as Marxism.

In 1845, he published The Conditions of the Working Class in England, which was based on personal observations and research in English cities. In 1848, he and Marx published The Communist Manifesto. Later Engels supported Marx financially, allowing him to research and write Capital. After Marx’s death, Engels edited the second and third volumes of Capital. Additionally, Engels organized Marx’s notes on the Theories of Surplus Value. In 1884, he published The Origins of the Family, Private Property and the State.

Frederick Engels died of cancer on August 5, 1895, in London.