Karl Marx · John Galsworthy Were Karl Marx and John Galsworthy alive at the same time? Yes. Karl Marx and John Galsworthy were alive at the same time for 15 years, from 1867 to 1883. Karl Marx was 49 when John Galsworthy was born.John Galsworthy was 15 when Karl Marx died, aged 64. Karl MarxGerman-born philosopherBorn 5 May 1818 · died 14 March 1883, aged 64John GalsworthyEnglish novelist and playwrightBorn 14 August 1867 · died 31 January 1933, aged 65 NapoleonAbraham LincolnKarl MarxJohn GalsworthyMahatma GandhiVladimir LeninAlbert EinsteinAdolf HitlerRonald Reagan Karl Marx and John Galsworthy 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.