Caroline Amy Read had lived in the four storey property in Regent’s Park Road for many years but died in 2020 at the age of 92.
Described in her funeral notice as “a gifted teacher, scholar and librarian, firm friend to many, inveterate walker, enthusiastic traveller and supporter of local causes in Camden”, she left 122 Regent’s Park Road to a trust who reportedly have now have plans for it to become an education space.
Engels, the co-author of the Communist Manifesto, moved into the house in 1870 to be near his close friend Karl Marx.
While living there he held regular Sunday socialist debates, wrote books of political philosophy, and took daily walks on Primrose Hill with Marx who was based in Kentish Town.
He also married his mistress Lizzie Burns on her deathbed in 1878.
Located opposite The Queen’s pub and the entrance to Primrose Hill, the property boasts an English Heritage blue plaque and trustees are reportedly bidding to turn it into a space for young people to learn about the history of working-class struggle, gender equality, and international solidarity.
The plans for Engels House have been drawn-up by leading architects Caroe ahead of being submitted to Camden Council.
The project would see three existing flats in the building turned into a community space.
