Karl Marx was born into middle-class Jewish family later converted to Protestantism. Father was successful lawyer.

Enrolled at University of Bonn to study law. Transferred to Berlin where he discovered philosophy.

Received doctoral degree from University of Jena. Thesis compared philosophies of Democritus and Epicurus.

Became editor of radical newspaper. First encountered economic questions and plight of working class.

Married childhood friend Jenny von Westphalen. Marriage lasted until her death despite poverty and hardship.

Met Friedrich Engels beginning lifelong intellectual partnership. Together developed theory of historical materialism.

Co-authored with Engels the Communist Manifesto. Declared workers of the world must unite against capitalism.

After failed revolutions expelled from Prussia and France. Settled permanently in London as exile.

Family lived in dire poverty in Soho. Three children died from malnutrition and disease during this period.

Published first volume of magnum opus Das Kapital. Analyzed capitalist mode of production and its contradictions.

Supported Paris Commune as first workers' government. Wrote The Civil War in France analyzing its lessons.

Health deteriorated due to overwork. Continued research but struggled to complete Das Kapital volumes II and III.

Beloved wife Jenny died after long illness. Marx was devastated and never fully recovered from loss.

Died at home in London aged 64. Engels said mankind was shorter by a head, its greatest head.

Ideas inspired revolutions worldwide. Marxism shaped 20th century politics and remains influential in social theory.