Ferdinand Lassalle

Ferdinand Johann Gottlieb Lassalle (born Lassal; 11 April 1825 – 31 August 1864) was a German jurist, philosopher, socialist, and political activist. Remembered as an initiator of the German labour movement, he developed the theory of state socialism and was a founder of the General German Workers' Association (ADAV) in 1863, a precursor to the modern Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD).

Lassalle's political thought was shaped by Hegelianism and the German revolutions of 1848–1849. He advocated for a strong role for the state in achieving social reform and improving the conditions of the working class, believing that universal suffrage would enable workers to transform the existing Prussian state into a "people's state" (Volksstaat) that would own and control major industries. This put him at odds with Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels, who advocated for international proletarian revolution and viewed the state primarily as an instrument of class oppression.

A charismatic but controversial figure, Lassalle gained notoriety for his eight-year legal battle on behalf of Countess Sophie von Hatzfeldt, which brought him fame and a substantial annuity. His political career, though brief, was marked by energetic agitation, prolific writing, and a complex, often secret, relationship with Prussian Chancellor Otto von Bismarck. Lassalle's life was cut short at the age of 39 when he was killed in a duel arising from a love affair. Despite his early death and the theoretical differences with Marxism, Lassalle's ideas and organizational efforts significantly influenced the course of German socialism.