Friedrich Engels, born on 28 November 1820 and died on 5 August 1895, was a pivotal figure in the shaping of communist theory and a revolutionary socialist. Engels, best known for his collaboration with Karl Marx, contributed significantly to the development of Marxist theory. This dynamic partnership produced foundational works such as The Communist Manifesto (1848), alongside other significant texts including The Holy Family (1844) and The German Ideology (1846). Engels's role was not limited to writing; he was also Marx's closest friend, financial supporter, and a key political organizer in movements such as the Communist League and the International Workingmen's Association.

Engels's background as the son of a wealthy cotton-textile mill owner allowed him to support Marx financially, enabling the latter's continued work and writings, most notably Das Kapital. After Marx's death, Engels took upon himself the monumental task of editing and publishing the latter volumes of Das Kapital and became a leading authority on Marxism. His own works, such as The Condition of the Working Class in England (1845), Anti-Dühring (1878), and The Origin of the Family, Private Property and the State (1884), have left a lasting impact on socialist theory and practice.

Engels was a thinker of remarkable breadth, contributing to philosophy, history, and the natural sciences. His philosophical contributions, particularly in materialism, dialectics, and the critique of idealism, provided a solid foundation for the development of Marxist theory. Engels's engagement with the natural sciences and his writings on dialectics of nature highlight his commitment to a comprehensive and scientifically grounded worldview.

Engels's death on 5 August 1895 marked the end of an era. He was a figure whose intellectual legacy and commitment to revolutionary change continue to inspire generations. His ashes were scattered at Beachy Head, near Eastbourne, leaving behind a legacy that remains influential in the realms of political theory, philosophy, and beyond.