Friedrich Engels was a German philosopher, social scientist, and political theorist, best known for his collaboration with Karl Marx in developing the theory of Marxism. Born in 1820, Engels played a crucial role in the establishment of socialist thought and the critique of capitalism, particularly through his works like 'The Condition of the Working Class in England'. Engels co-authored 'The Communist Manifesto' with Marx in 1848, which called for the working class to rise against the bourgeoisie. His writings and ideas have had a lasting impact on political movements and continue to influence discussions on social justice and economic equality today.