Edward Aveling

Edward Bibbens Aveling (29 November, 1849 – 2 August, 1898), English Marxist and partner of Eleanor Marx.

Related Topics:
29 November - 1849 - 2 August - 1898 - English - Marxist - Eleanor Marx

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Aveling was born on 29 November, 1849 in Stoke Newington. In 1867 he began to study medicine at University College, London. He married the heiress Isabel Campbell Frank in 1872 but the marriage only lasted two years. They separated amicably, according to Aveling because Isabel could not stand his atheism although gossip said that he married her for her money.

Related Topics:
29 November - 1849 - Stoke Newington - 1867 - University College, London - 1872 - Atheism

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He began teaching biology and lecturing in science at King's College, London but was unable to advance due to his atheism and so left. He then joined the National Secular Society and was likely the lover of Annie Besant one of the society's leaders. He wrote and lectured for the society but again was forced to leave after becoming a Marxist; an anathema to Charles Bradlaugh, the society's founder.

Related Topics:
King's College, London - National Secular Society - Annie Besant - Charles Bradlaugh

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In 1884 he became the partner of Eleanor Marx the daughter of Karl Marx. This was despite being still married to Isabel Frank, albeit separated, a situation that continued until her death in 1892. 1884 also saw him and Eleanor being elected to the executive council of the Social Democratic Federation although the left shortly after with others to form the Socialist League.

Related Topics:
1884 - Eleanor Marx - Karl Marx - 1892 - Social Democratic Federation - Socialist League

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During his time in the Socialist League he wrote and translated socialist texts but he was unpopular in the movement, both for running up debts and for his relationship with Eleanor which gave him an assumed position at the heart of Marxism. In 1897 he left Eleanor and secretly married an actress Eva Frye but returned to Eleanor when he was struck down with kidney disease. After nursing him for some time, Eleanor committed suicide mainly due to his infidelity and Edward died four months later.

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