Intellectual life only became professionalised in the 20th century. So no, that's not the implication. Marx was funded by Engels, whose father owned a factory

Intellectual life only became professionalised in the 20th century. So no, that's not the implication. Marx was funded by Engels, whose father owned a factory in Manchester. Darwin was funded by his parents. Thankfully, scholars no longer need to depend upon the wealth of their parents and connections.