Primary sourceSpeech1883
Speech at the Grave of Karl Marx
Friedrich Engels · 1883
Friedrich Engels's 1883 eulogy for Marx, delivered at his graveside at Highgate Cemetery, comparing him to Darwin.
This eulogy, delivered at Marx's own graveside, is a firsthand record of how his closest collaborator framed his life's work immediately after his death.
About this source
What it is
This is the text of a speech Friedrich Engels gave in 1883 at the grave of Karl Marx, delivered to a small group of mourners.
Why it matters
Engels compares Marx's discovery of the "law of development of human history" to Darwin's discovery of the law of development of organic nature, arguing that economic conditions underlie politics, science, art and religion. As the first public framing of Marx's legacy by his closest collaborator, the speech shaped how Marx would be remembered by the socialist movement.
Look closer
- Why might Engels compare Marx to Darwin specifically?
- What does Engels choose to emphasise about Marx, and what might he be leaving out?
- How might a eulogy by a close friend and collaborator differ from a more neutral historical account?
This speech is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of Karl Marx on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.
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