Being a refugee should not be seen as something that limits you. It should be seen as a testament to what you have endured to get to where you are today. 

Our ‘Influential Refugees’ series aims to demonstrate not only the range of people who can find themselves in need of asylum, but also the great things that people of a refugee background can go on to achieve in their lives.

Influential Refugees: Karl Marx

Born in 1818, Karl Marx was a German philosopher, social scientist, journalist and historian who is widely regarded as one of history’s most influential socialist thinkers.

A vocal activist against the the class-system, he was expelled from his home in Paris due to his radical left-wing beliefs. Considered a political threat by many governments, he was left stateless and unable to return to his previous homes in Brussels or Germany. Seeking refuge in London, it was there that he lived out the remainder of his life.

Publishing numerous books during his lifetime including the well-known ‘Das Kapital’ and ‘The Communist Manifesto’, his writings have formed the basis of modern communism. Having a huge influence on future generations of academics and political parities across the world, his views have gone on to shape governments, social sciences and the study of human culture.

Look out for more posts in our ‘Influential Refugees’ series coming soon!