Who was Karl Marx, when is his birthday, where is the German philosopher’s grave and what is Marxism?
Thousands still study Marx's work today
LEGENDARY philosopher Karl Marx completed changed the way we see the world, and created a host of revolutionary theories which are still around today.
But who was he and what happened to him?
Who was Karl Marx?
Born 5 May 1818 in western Germany, Marx's early upbringing was uneventful.
But after studying law in Bonn and Berlin, he was introduced to the ideas of the great philosophers Hegel and Feuerbach.
After moving to Paris with wife Jenny, he became a revolutionary communist, and over the next few years, worked on what is now regarded as one of the most influential political books ever - 'Das Kapital' and 'The Communist Manifesto.'
What is Marxism?
Marxism is the name given to the strain of thought spawned from the work of Marx, which is studied by students and academics all over the world.
Marx believed that society changes as economics changes, and that behind society is a class struggle between the rich and the poor.
He saw capitalism as being a 'necessary evil' because it was needed for the lesser classes to be motivated to rise up and take over the means of production.
Although people sometimes confuse Marxism with communism, it is important not to mix the two up.
Communism is the revolutionary political system which is based on Marx's ideas, but Marxism is just the way in which a state is developed.
Where is Marx's grave?
After being banished from Paris, Marx moved to London, where he lived for the rest of his life with his family.
He worked on 'Das Kapital' at 28 Dean Street in Soho, which today is marked with a blue plaque to remember he was there.
While in London, he also worked for the New York Daily Tribune, reporting on the goings-on in the city.
He died in 1883 and is buried at Highgate Cemetery.
His grave is marked with a large statue of him and visitors come from across the world to see the spot where he is buried.
He is thought to be the Cemetery's most famous resident.
On February 5, his grave vandalised in a hammer attack on the marble plaque at its centre.
The Friends of Highgate Cemetery Trust, the charity which runs the cemetery in north London, said the plaque appeared to have been attacked over the weekend
The charity said the grave "will never be the same again".
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