Ayn Rand

Ayn Rand[1†]

Ayn Rand, originally Alisa Zinovyevna Rosenbaum, was a Russian-born American writer and philosopher known for her development of Objectivism. She gained fame with her novels "The Fountainhead" (1943) and "Atlas Shrugged" (1957). Despite mixed literary reviews and general rejection from academic philosophers, her works have sold over 37 million copies and influenced some right-libertarians and conservatives. The Objectivist movement continues to promote her ideas[1†][2†].

Early Years and Education

Ayn Rand was born as Alisa Zinovyevna Rosenbaum on February 2, 1905, in Saint Petersburg, Russia[1†]. She was the eldest of three daughters of Zinovy Zakharovich Rosenbaum, a pharmacist, and Anna Borisovna[1†]. Rand was raised in an upper-middle-class, European-oriented family[1†][3†]. Her family’s life was disrupted by the October Revolution and the rule of the Bolsheviks under Vladimir Lenin, during which her father’s pharmacy was nationalized[1†].

After being tutored at home, Alissa Rosenbaum, the eldest of three children, was enrolled in a progressive school, where she excelled academically but was socially isolated[1†][2†]. Having taught herself to read, Rand, at the age of 8, became captivated by the heroism in a French-language serial adventure titled "The Mysterious Valley"[1†][3†].

Following the Russian Revolution of 1917, her father’s shop was confiscated by communist authorities, an event she deeply resented[1†][2†]. As a student at Leningrad State University, she studied history and became acquainted with the works of Plato and Aristotle[1†][2†]. After graduating in 1924, she enrolled in the State Institute for Cinematography, hoping to become a screenwriter[1†][2†].

The arrival of a letter from cousins in Chicago gave her an opportunity to leave the country on the pretext of gaining expertise that she could apply in the Soviet film industry[1†][2†]. Upon her arrival in the United States in 1926, she changed her name to Ayn Rand[1†][2†]. The first name, which rhymes with “pine,” was inspired by the name of a Finnish writer, whom she never identified, and the surname she described as an abbreviation of Rosenbaum[1†][2†].

Career Development and Achievements

After arriving in the United States, Ayn Rand moved to Hollywood, where a chance encounter with the producer Cecil B. DeMille led to work as a movie extra and eventually to a job as a screenwriter[2†]. After struggling for several years at various non-writing jobs, including one in the wardrobe department at the RKO film studio, Rand sold her first screenplay, Red Pawn, to Universal Studios in 1932[2†][3†]. Rand saw her first stage play, Night of January 16th, produced in Hollywood in 1934 and then on Broadway in 1935[2†][3†].

Despite initial failures with her early novels, Rand achieved fame with her 1943 novel, The Fountainhead[2†][1†]. The novel’s protagonist, Howard Roark, an individualistic young architect, refuses to compromise his artistic and personal vision for worldly recognition and success. The Fountainhead was rejected by twelve publishers but finally accepted by the Bobbs-Merrill Company. When published, it made history by becoming a best seller through word-of-mouth two years later, and gained for Rand lasting recognition as a champion of individualism[2†].

Rand’s most extensive work, Atlas Shrugged, was published in 1957[2†][1†]. The novel includes elements of mystery, romance, and science fiction, and it contains Rand’s most extensive statement of Objectivism in any of her works of fiction, a lengthy monologue delivered by the strike’s leader, John Galt[2†][1†]. Despite many negative reviews, Atlas Shrugged became an international bestseller and has remained in print ever since[2†][1†].

After the publication of Atlas Shrugged, Rand turned to non-fiction to promote her philosophy, publishing her own periodicals and releasing several collections of essays[2†][1†]. She promoted her philosophy of Objectivism through courses, lectures, and literature[2†][4†]. Her extraordinary vision inspired millions to take responsibility for their lives but also attracted its fair share of controversy[2†][4†].

First Publication of Her Main Works

Ayn Rand’s literary career spans over several decades, during which she published numerous novels and non-fiction works that have left a significant impact on the literary world[5†][6†][7†][8†].

• We the Living (1936 & 1959): This was Rand’s first novel, set in Soviet Russia, and it portrays the struggle of the individual against the state[5†].
• Anthem (1938 & 1946): This dystopian fiction novella by Rand takes place at an unspecified future date when mankind has entered another Dark Age[5†].
• The Fountainhead (1943): This novel details the struggle of a genius architect against mediocrity[5†][6†]. It was Rand’s first major work[5†][6†].
• Atlas Shrugged (1957): This is Rand’s best-known work and the one where she introduces her philosophy of Objectivism in full[5†][6†]. It follows a railroad executive and a steel magnate as they grapple with a collectivist government[5†][6†].
• Night of January 16th (1968): This is a theatrical play by Rand, inspired by the death of the “Match King”, Ivar Kreuger[5†].
• The Early Ayn Rand (1984): This is a collection of short stories and plays written by Rand in the early stages of her literary career[5†].
• Three Plays (2005): This is a collection of three of Rand’s plays[5†].
• Ideal (2015): This is a novel and a play written by Rand. It was published posthumously[5†].

In addition to her novels, Rand also wrote several non-fiction books where she articulated her philosophy of Objectivism[5†]. Some of these works include “For the New Intellectual” (1961), “The Virtue of Selfishness” (1964), “Capitalism: The Unknown Ideal” (1966 & 1967), and “The Romantic Manifesto” (1969 & 1971)[5†][7†].

Analysis and Evaluation

Ayn Rand’s work, particularly her development of the philosophy of Objectivism, has been a subject of extensive analysis and evaluation[9†][10†][1†][11†].

Rand’s philosophy, which she called Objectivism, tapped directly into the American ideals of freedom, hard work, and individualism[9†][11†]. In her novels, like Atlas Shrugged, and her non-fiction, like The Virtues of Selfishness, Rand argued for the removal of any religious or political controls that hindered the pursuit of self-interest[9†][11†].

She advocated reason and rejected faith and religion[9†][1†]. She supported rational and ethical egoism as opposed to altruism[9†][1†]. In politics, Rand condemned the initiation of force as immoral and supported laissez-faire capitalism, which she defined as the system based on recognizing individual rights, including private property rights[9†][1†].

Her interpretation of ethical egoism is one of the most important interpretations of this theory[9†][10†]. Rand is a proponent of intellectual egoism, and rationalism is a fundamental element in her ethical theory[9†][10†]. This article attempts to review, analyze, and criticize her interpretation of ethical egoism[9†][10†].

However, her work has also been criticized for lacking methodological rigor[9†]. Critics argue that her polemical approach and the lack of methodological rigor in her work make it less impactful in academic philosophy[9†].

Despite the criticisms, Rand’s influence on America’s philosophical and political economic thought is significant[9†]. Her books have sold over 37 million copies[9†], and her ideas continue to be studied and debated in philosophy classes, particularly her defense of ethical egoism and rejection of altruism[9†][10†].

Personal Life

Ayn Rand was born as Alisa Zinovyevna Rosenbaum on February 2, 1905, into a Jewish bourgeois family living in Saint Petersburg in what was then the Russian Empire[1†]. She was the eldest of three daughters of Zinovy Zakharovich Rosenbaum, a pharmacist, and Anna Borisovna (née Kaplan)[1†].

Upon her arrival in the United States in 1926, she changed her name to Ayn Rand[1†][2†]. The first name, which rhymes with “pine,” was inspired by the name of a Finnish writer, whom she never identified, and the surname she described as an abbreviation of Rosenbaum[1†][2†].

She married Frank O’Connor in 1929[1†]. The couple did not have children[1†]. They were married until O’Connor’s death in 1979[1†].

Rand was deeply affected by the Bolshevik Revolution, which had destroyed her family’s livelihood[1†][12†]. This event played a significant role in shaping her political and economic beliefs[1†][12†].

Conclusion and Legacy

Ayn Rand’s philosophy, Objectivism, and her novels have had a significant impact on a wide range of disciplines and fields[13†]. Her works continue to be influential, with “Atlas Shrugged” being recognized as the most influential book after the Bible in a 1991 survey conducted by the Library of Congress.

Rand’s philosophy is radical in its rejection of altruism as a moral standard, challenging the various popular worldviews espoused by twentieth-century intellectuals. She believed that there is no higher purpose beyond serving one’s own interests.

Her philosophy emphasized individual rights, including life, liberty, and property, and she supported laissez-faire capitalism because in her view it was the only system based on the protection of those rights[13†]. This led her to oppose any government action beyond those needed to protect individual rights[13†].

Despite some criticisms, Rand’s ideas have politically influenced some right-libertarians and conservatives. The Objectivist movement continues to circulate her ideas, both to the public and in academic settings. She remains a polarizing figure, but there is no question that her works are enormously influential.

Rand’s legacy continues to engage millions of people worldwide[13†]. She has a huge following today, especially among young people, attracted by her philosophy of rational individualism[13†]. Her likeness even appeared on a 1999 US postage stamp[13†].

Key Information

• Also Known As: Alissa Zinovievna Rosenbaum[2†][1†]
• Born: February 2, 1905, in Saint Petersburg, Russian Empire[2†][1†]
• Died: March 6, 1982, in New York City, U.S. (aged 77)[2†][1†]
• Nationality: Russian (1905–1931), United States (1931–1982)[2†][1†]
• Occupation: Writer[2†][1†]
• Notable Works: The Fountainhead (1943), Atlas Shrugged (1957)[2†][1†]
• Notable Achievements: Rand’s books have sold over 37 million copies[2†][1†]. She developed a philosophical system she named Objectivism[2†][1†].

References and Citations:

1. Wikipedia (English) - Ayn Rand [website] - link
2. Britannica - Ayn Rand: American author [website] - link
3. CliffsNotes - Pardon Our Interruption - Pardon Our Interruption [website] - link
4. kidskonnect - Ayn Rand Facts & Worksheets [website] - link
5. AynRand.org - Ayn Rand's Novels and Works [website] - link
6. Britannica - What are Ayn Rand’s most famous works? [website] - link
7. The Atlas Society - Ayn Rand's Works, The Atlas Society [website] - link
8. Literary Devices - Ayn Rand [website] - link
9. eNotes - Ayn Rand Analysis [website] - link
10. Academia - Ayn Rand's Egoism: Theory and Analysis [website] - link
11. BBC News - Ayn Rand: Why is she so popular? [website] - link
12. Harvard Magazine - Biographical sketch of Ayn Rand [website] - link
13. Adam Smith Institute - Ayn Rand's legacy [website] - link