1. Ayn Rand and Objectivism
Author of Anthem, Fountainhead, and Atlas Shrugged.

2. Rand Background Rand was a novelist and philosopher
Born on Feb. 2, 1905 in Petersburg, Russia as Alissa Rosenbaum
Russia had a brooding (threatening) atmosphere in the early 1900s
The Russian Revolution in Feb. of 1917 affected her personally
Her father’s chemist shop was nationalized by a communist gang- reduced them to poverty.
Rand fled to America where she had family and settled in New York City in 1926
She developed the pen name Ayn Rand and was in the movie business (Hollywood) for a brief time.
She wrote screenplays, short stories, and novels.
Most famous novel, Fountainhead , features Howard Roark, an architect who longs to build on his own ideals and principles.

3. Rand’s Philosophy of Objectivism (The Objectivist Center)
“My philosophy, in essence, is 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.
Objectivism states:
-There is no greater moral goal than achieving happiness
-Happiness means one lives with moral integrity and respect for the rights of others
-Laissez- Faire Capitalism
-The heroes of Objectivism are achievers who build business, invent technologies, and create art and ideas.
-Optimism- holds the belief that each person has the ability to live a rich, fulfilling life.

4. Ayn Rand Institute Writing Contest!
(linked to blog)