Ludwig von Westphalen and Heinrich Marx were not by any standard politically radical; they were archetypical liberals in a repressive German society. Although they promoted progressive ideas, they were limited by their ideology and class position. But the Prussian baron and the Jewish lawyer, united by French revolutionary ideals, pushed their children in a radical direction they never could have anticipated.

From such liberal political beginnings, Jenny von Westphalen and Karl Marx became pioneers in revolutionary socialism.

Jenny Marx — born Johanna Bertha Julie Jenny von Westphalen — came from a long line of Scottish and Prussian radicals, noblemen, and military men. Her father Ludwig was the youngest son of Philipp von Westphalen and Jeanie Wishart. Philipp was Duke Ferdinand of Brunswick’s secretary during the Seven Years’ War, and was ennobled as a baron for his exemplary service. Jeanie Wishart descended from the Scottish earls of Argyll and Angus. Two of her radical ancestors, Archibald Agryl and George Wishart, were beheaded and burned at the stake.