A German philosopher, he is considered one of the most important figures in modern history due to his works in the fields of politics, the philosophy of economics, and sociology. After earning his doctorate in philosophy from the University of Berlin, he entered politics; due to his political views, he fled Germany, seeking refuge first in Paris and then in London.
Following the publication of *The Communist Manifesto* (1848), which he co-authored with Friedrich Engels, they began to be regarded as pioneers of modern communism. Through his original and comprehensive theories—based on the economic analysis of capitalism developed in his work *Capital* (1867) and the philosophy of history (historical materialism) evident in many of his other works—he led to a reconceptualization of the fundamental concepts of modern humanities and social sciences. Political movements inspired by the Marxist approach directly shaped the lives of millions of people in the 20th century. The theories put forward by Marx continue to this day to find their place in scientific research and to serve as significant factors influencing political movements. Marx passed away in London in 1883.