Jean Baptist von Schweitzer, attracted by the…

Jean Baptist von Schweitzer, attracted by the social democratic labor movement, had become president of the General Workingmen's Union of Germany after the death of Lassalle, and in this capacity edits Der Sozialdemokrat ("the Social Democrat"), which brings him into frequent trouble with the Prussian government.

Published three times weekly in Berlin by, it becomes the organ of the ADAV by January 4, 1865.

Marx contributes an article on the death, in this month, of Pierre-Joseph Proudhon.

Schweitzer is arrested and charged with the crime of homosexuality but key people within the Social Democrats still support him.

Born at Frankfurt am Main of an old aristocratic Catholic family, Schweitzer had studied law in Berlin and Heidelberg, and afterwards had practiced in his native city.

He is, however, generally more interested in politics and literature than law.