Leon Trotsky, born Lev Davidovich Bronstein, died suddenly on August 21, 1940, at the age of 60. Leon was a prolific political theorist, a Russian revolutionary, Marxist theorist, Soviet politician, and the founder and first leader of the Red Army. He was an influential political activist from an early age, organizing meetings and strikes in the factory at which he worked. He later became involved with the Russian Social Democratic Labor Party and eventually joined the Bolsheviks and supported Vladimir Lenin during the Russian Revolution. He served in several positions, including Commissar of Foreign Affairs and Commissar of Military and Naval Affairs, until his eventual fall from favor and exile in 1929. Once exiled, Leon Trotsky moved to Turkey, France, and then eventually Mexico in 1937, where he wrote extensively and advocated for a new world revolution. He is most remembered for his work as a theorist and in history textbooks for his leadership in establishing the Red Army and his role in the Soviet Union. Leon Trotsky will be remembered for his work in leading the Bolshevik Party and influencing modern political thought.