Rand, Ayn (1905–1982)

Ayn Rand is best known for her controversial philosophy of Objectivism and for her influential novels: We the Living, Anthem, The Fountainhead, and Atlas Shrugged. Born Alissa Rosenbaum in Russia, she saw in the Russian Revolution and communist takeover the loss of personal freedom and individual rights and the growth of a society dominated not by individual rights but by shady back-room deals and the politics of influence, justified by the creed of sacrifice for the collective.

She studied philosophy and history, experienced the communist takeover of the University of Petrograd, and became even more strongly opposed to collectivism. Fascinated by Western films and plays, she also studied screenwriting at the State Institute for Cinema Arts. In recognizing that her radical ideas of individuality and freedom were dangerous, her parents provided her with passage to the United States, the land they believed embodied her ideals. There she changed her name to avoid repercussions to her family in Russia and worked at a variety of writing and non-writing jobs. She married actor Frank O'Connor.

Rand's novels gradually attracted interest in her philosophy of Objectivism. The intensity of her moral convictions is reflected through the characters she created. Characters such as John Galt and Howard Roark are men who refuse to give up their lives for the collective good, men of moral integrity and practical creative genius, each devoted to his own work. Rand described Objectivism as the concept of man as a heroic being, with his own happiness as the moral purpose of his life, with productive achievement as his noblest activity, and reason as his only absolute, only source of knowledge, and basic means of survival. Beyond the elimination of force or fraud upon others, man should live for his own sake, doing work he considers valuable for his own reasons. Sacrifice to the will of the people is irrelevant in the decisions one makes, and man is to base decisions upon his own assessment of right and wrong.

Rand fought the communist movement in the United States with passion, becoming increasingly disillusioned with American politics. She believed that American politics had lost its way and that both major political parties were indistinguishable, offering no real choice and supporting government intervention.

She founded the Ayn Rand Institute and published and lectured on her philosophy until her death. Viewed as everything from savior and visionary to cult leader and totalitarian dictator, she experienced the conflicts created by a philosophy of perfect morality as a theme in her life as much as in her novels. Her ongoing influence is demonstrated by the many organizations and publications that continue to publicize and debate her works. Ayn Rand's philosophy and vision have changed the lives of thousands of readers and continue to affect American culture.