Lizzie Burns facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Lizzie Burns
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| Born | 6 August 1827 Manchester, England
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| Died | 12 September 1878 (aged 51) London, England
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| Other names | Lydia Burns |
| Occupation | Activist |
| Partner(s) | Friedrich Engels |
| Relatives | Mary Burns (sister) |
Lydia "Lizzie" Burns (born August 6, 1827 – died September 12, 1878) was an Irish woman from a working-class background. She was the partner of Friedrich Engels, a famous thinker and friend of Karl Marx. Lizzie played an important role in showing Engels what life was really like for factory workers in Britain.
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Lizzie's Early Life and Family
Lizzie Burns was born in Manchester, England. Her father, Michael Burns, worked as a dyer in a cotton mill. Her mother, Mary Conroy, passed away when Lizzie was young.
Lizzie had an older sister named Mary Burns. Mary was also a lifelong partner of Friedrich Engels. Mary and Engels believed that marriage was not necessary for their relationship.
Living with Engels
After her sister Mary died in 1863, Lizzie became Engels' partner. She had lived with them as a housekeeper before this. In the 1870s, Lizzie and Engels lived together openly in London. Lizzie's niece, Mary Ellen (called Pumps), helped them as a housekeeper.
Smart and Strong-Willed
Both Lizzie and her sister Mary were known for being very smart. Even though they couldn't read or write, they understood a lot about the world. They helped Engels see the real struggles of factory workers in Britain.
Eleanor Marx, the daughter of Karl Marx, admired Lizzie greatly. She wrote that Lizzie was "true, honest and in some ways as fine-souled a woman as you could meet."
A Champion for Ireland
Lizzie Burns was a strong supporter of the Irish Republican movement. This movement worked for Ireland's independence from Britain. The house she shared with Engels was a safe place for Irish activists, known as Fenians.
Lizzie was very passionate about freedom. She had a big influence on the young Eleanor Marx. Lizzie helped Eleanor become a strong supporter of Irish Nationalism and the Fenians. Eleanor even signed her letters to Lizzie as "Eleanor, F.S." (Fenian Sister).
Lizzie's Final Days
In September 1878, Lizzie became very ill. To respect her religious beliefs, Engels married her shortly before she passed away. She died just hours after their marriage.
Lizzie's death deeply affected Engels. He wrote about her, saying she was a "real child of the Irish proletariat." He valued her strong dedication to her working class background more than anything else.
Lizzie Burns was buried at St Mary's Catholic Cemetery, Kensal Green. Engels had "LYDIA, Wife of Frederick Engels" written on her gravestone.
