Ayn Rand (her first name rhymes with “mine”) February 2, 1905 – March 6, 1982

It begins in Russia Ayn is born Alisa Rosenbaum in St. Petersburg, Russia to Anna & Zinovy (Fronz) Rosenbaum on Feb. 2, 1905

Alisa’s father is a pharmacist with his own shop. She is the second of three girls As a youngster, she is very curious and learns to read at age 6. By age 9 decided she’d be a writer Home Life Sisters Natasha, Nora, Alisa Anna Rosenbaum, mom Alisa and her dad Alisa at three

Then…. In 1917, she witnesses the opening shots of the Bolshevik Revolution. Her father becomes fearful as his business is confiscated by soldiers. He worries for his family’s safety and takes them to Yevpatoria, Crimea – 1300 miles away from St. Petersburg. Crimea is now part of the Ukraine.

Traveled from here to here 1306 miles from St. Petersburg, Russia to Crimea

Alisa’s adolesence She attended and finished high school in Crimea While there, she became very interested in United States history. It fascinated her that the US was a nation where people were allowed to live freely. This was different than the Utopian ideal that the Russian government was trying to promote at the time.

Family moves back The Rosenbaums moved back to St. Petersburg. Alisa continued her schooling at the University of Petrograd. She studied Philosophy and History, graduating in She studied screenwriting as a career at the State Institute of Cinema Arts. She was very interested in watching films from America and with Western ideas/ culture.

Let the writing begin… – first published piece about Polish born actress Pola Negri – wrote a booklet entitled, “Hollywood: American Movie City” published in Russia Pola Negri “Hollywood: American Movie City”

Freedom! granted permission from the Soviet authorities to leave the country to visit relatives. Leaves Russia, never to return Arrives in New York in 1926 Does visit relatives in Chicago Makes her way to Hollywood to be a screenwriter Alisa’s passport picture, 1925

Day 2 in Hollywood: Meets famous director Cecil B. DeMille and gets a job working in the studios Changes her name to Ayn Rand Cecil B. DeMille HOORAY FOR HOLLYWOOD

Frank & Ayn Meets her future husband, actor Frank O’Connor, at the studios. They get married in 1929 and remain together until his death in Rand dies in March, 1982 Frank & Ayn, 1964

Published Works 1936 –We The Living 1943 –The Fountainhead 1957 – Atlas Shrugged Anthem During her writing career, she wrote screenplays, plays, essays, articles, and speeches. She also gave lectures at colleges and taught at the college level.

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