Paul Lafargue
Paul Lafargue
Marx's son-in-law, author of The Right to Be Lazy, first socialist deputy in the French parliament
"Healthy in body and mind, I end my life before pitiless old age which has taken from me my pleasures and joys one by one." — Suicide letter, 25 November 1911
French Marxist theorist born in Cuba. Co-founded the French Workers' Party (POF) with Jules Guesde and systematized economic determinism as a historical method. In his later years, defended revolutionary Marxism against Jean Jaurès's reformism.
Career timeline
- 1864–1865Studied medicine in Paris; joined French section of First International as a Proudhonian anarchist
- 1866–1868Moved to London, frequented Marx household; General Council member, corresponding secretary for Spain
- 1868Married Laura Marx, Karl Marx's second daughter
- 1871–1872Fled to Madrid after Commune's fall; propagated Marxism via La Emancipación, fought anarchist dominance in Spanish section
- 1880Co-founded French Workers' Party (POF) with Jules Guesde; serialized first draft of The Right to Be Lazy in L'Égalité
- 1882–1891Returned to Paris as POF's leading theorist; led strikes and electoral campaigns, repeatedly imprisoned
- 1891Elected from Lille as first socialist deputy in French parliament — campaigned from prison
- 1890s–1905Defended orthodox Marxism against Jaurès's reformism; published major works on economic determinism, origins of property
- 1908–1911Retired from active politics after Toulouse unity congress; wrote memoirs of Karl Marx