Origin Story

Karl Marx – Part Two – The Father

24 snips
Oct 8, 2025
This discussion delves into Marx's tumultuous life in London, revealing his financial struggles and the support from Friedrich Engels. The hosts reflect on the fierce intellectual battles he fought, particularly against rival socialists and Bakunin. They explore the mixed legacy of his magnum opus, 'Capital,' its revolutionary concepts, and the eventual misinterpretations that emerged afterward. The analysis highlights how Marx's predictions often faltered amid evolving social reforms, illustrating the complex intertwining of his ideas with history.
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ANECDOTE

Marx's London Exile Routine

  • Karl Marx arrived in London in 1849 and settled among German exiles in Soho while studying in the British Museum library.
  • He combined research with running German Workers Education Society meetings and long periods of night work and illness.
ANECDOTE

Chaotic Finances And Family Tragedy

  • Despite earning a steady Tribune income, Marx repeatedly fell into poverty because he spent on luxuries and poor money management.
  • Jenny and Marx had six children and endured chronic illness and the death of three children in infancy or childhood.
ANECDOTE

Engels: Financial Backer And Ghostwriter

  • Friedrich Engels worked in his father's Manchester textile firm to financially support Marx and translate or ghostwrite his English pieces.
  • Engels also supplied military articles and practical help when Marx lacked knowledge or time.
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