Ayn Rand

Born:

Alisa Zinovyevna Rosenbaum, February 2, 1905, Saint Petersburg, Russia

Died:

March 6, 1982, New York City, New York, United States

Nationality:

Russian-American

Profession(s):

Novelist, Philosopher, Playwright, Screenwriter

Early Life and Education

• Experienced the Russian Revolution firsthand, shaping her anti-collectivist views.
• Attended Petrograd State University, studying history and philosophy.
• Emigrated to the United States in 1926.

Career and Major Achievements

• Worked as a Hollywood screenwriter after arriving in the U.S.
• Developed Objectivism, a philosophical system emphasizing individualism, reason, and self-interest.
• Published several influential novels that promoted her philosophical ideas.
• Lectured and wrote extensively on her philosophy, influencing libertarian and conservative thought.

Notable Works

• Novels:
  • We the Living (1936)
  • Anthem (1938)
  • The Fountainhead (1943)
  • Atlas Shrugged (1957)
• Non-Fiction:
  • For the New Intellectual (1961)
  • The Virtue of Selfishness (1964)
  • Capitalism: The Unknown Ideal (1966) - Included essays reflecting on ayn rand quotes on capitalism.
  • Introduction to Objectivist Epistemology (1979)

Legacy and Impact

Ayn Rand's philosophical system of Objectivism and her novels have had a significant impact on political and intellectual thought, particularly within libertarian and conservative circles. Her works continue to be widely read and debated.

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