David Livingstone · Karl Marx Were David Livingstone and Karl Marx alive at the same time? Yes. David Livingstone and Karl Marx were alive at the same time for 54 years, from 1818 to 1873. David Livingstone was 5 when Karl Marx was born.Karl Marx was 54 when David Livingstone died, aged 60. David LivingstoneScottish missionary and explorerBorn 19 March 1813 · died 1 May 1873, aged 60Karl MarxGerman-born philosopherBorn 5 May 1818 · died 14 March 1883, aged 64 NapoleonAbraham LincolnDavid LivingstoneKarl MarxMahatma GandhiVladimir LeninAlbert Einstein David Livingstone and Karl Marx in bold, with some of their best-known contemporaries. Drag across to see the age each reached in any year. Faded ends mark uncertain dates.