1870 – 1924
Vladimir Lenin (1870–1924) was a Russian Marxist revolutionary, political theorist, and founder of the Soviet state. His philosophical contributions centered on dialectical materialism and the development of Marxist theory, particularly his elaboration of imperialism as the highest stage of capitalism and the vanguard party as the instrument of revolution.
Developed Leninism as an extension of Marxist theory, emphasizing the role of a disciplined vanguard party
Authored 'Materialism and Empirio-criticism', defending dialectical materialism against idealist interpretations
Advanced the theory of imperialism as capitalism's final stage in 'Imperialism, the Highest Stage of Capitalism'
Led the October Revolution of 1917, establishing the first Marxist state
Contributed to debates on Marxist continuity and discontinuity, including readings of Marx's philosophical development