Top 10 Fascinating Facts about Ayn Rand

Photo portrait of Russian-American writer Ayn Rand used for the first-edition back cover of her novel The Fountainhead (1943). Image by Bobbs-Merrill Company. – Wikimedia

Top 10 Fascinating Facts about Ayn Rand

Ayn Rand was a Russian-American writer and philosopher who was definitely born before her time. She is best known for her novels and for the Objectivism philosophy. At a time where women’s views were disregarded, she came up with a whole philosophy which is still relevant till date.

Her novels, including The Fountainhead and Atlas Shrugged, are famous for their depictions of individualism, capitalism, and personal freedom. The Objectivism philosophy emphasizes reason, individualism, and self-interest, and rejects collectivism, altruism, and government intervention in economic and social affairs. She was a controversial figure, and her views have been the subject to intense debate and criticism. Her personal life was so full of drama which propelled her popularity even more. 

Though she died in 1982 at the age of 77,  read on to discover her legacy that still lives on.

1. Ayn Rand was not her real name

Cover design from the first-edition dust jacket of the 1943 novel The Fountainhead by the Russian-American writer Ayn Rand. Image by unknown –Wikimedia

She was born Alice Zinovyevna Rosenbaum. She acquired the name Ayn Rand after she arrived in the United States. She wanted an easy name for Americans to pronounce. She came up with the name by combining “Ayn” from the Finnish name “Aino” and “Rand” from the surname of her favorite typewriter, a Remington Rand. She legally changed her name to Ayn Rand in 1936.

2. Her philosophy advocated for self-interest as the ultimate goal in life

Steve Bannon’s, a Propaganda Retrospective, work. Image by FaceMePLS – Wikimedia

The Objectivism philosophy, advocated that individuals should be guided by their self-interest; they should pursue their happiness, without sacrificing their values for the sake of others. Who would not agree with that? Aspire to put your happiness first, right? However, it also emphasizes the importance of moral principles, such as honesty, integrity, and respect for the rights of others. She believed that these values were essential to living a fulfilling life and achieving personal happiness. The philosophy puts the individual at the center of the universe and values reason, freedom, and self-interest as the guiding principles for human life.

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3. Rand was an immigrant

An immigrant’s life is never easy; Rand’s experience was no exception.She was born in St. Petersburg, Russia in 1905, and moved to the United States in 1926.  She faced many challenges, including a language barrier and financial difficulties. She worked odd jobs and took English classes to support herself, while also studying at the university to further her education. She began writing and publishing her work, including her first novel, We the Living, which was based on her experiences living under Soviet rule in Russia. Over time, her work gained popularity and recognition, and she became a prominent figure in American intellectual circles. Her Objectivism philosophy also gained a lot of popularity which opened many doors for her.

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4. Her most famous work is worth millions

Front cover of the novel Atlas Shrugged. Image by unknown – Wikimedia

Rand’s is worth millions. Her work has sold millions of copies worldwide and continues to be widely read and influential. Her most famous novels, Atlas Shrugged, and The Fountainhead have sold over 25 million copies combined, and continue to be famous and influential works of literature. In addition to her novels, Rand’s non-fiction works, including The Virtue of Selfishness, Capitalism: The Unknown Ideal, and Introduction to Objectivist Epistemology, have also been widely read and influential in the fields of philosophy, economics, and politics. She might have been distained in her lifetime but she continues to live on.

5. She had a complicated love life

She was married to Frank O’Connor, an actor, and artist, for over 50 years until his death in 1979. However, their relationship was often rocky.  She became involved with Nathaniel Branden, a young intellectual who became her close friend and a disciple. At the time, they were both married to other people their spouses knew of the affair. Talk of drama! It lasted several years but ultimately ended in a bitter and public breakup in 1968. When it came out, she lost several followers who had high regards for her and her right hand man, Branden.

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6. Rand had many ‘haters’

Cover of The Journal of Ayn Rand Studies. Image by Penn State University Press – WikimediaRand’s views have always been criticized. Critics argued that her emphasis on individualism and laissez-faire capitalism could lead to a lack of concern for the needs and well-being of others, and could result in social and economic inequality. Other did not agree with her rejection of altruism and the belief that individuals should pursue their self-interest above all else. More so, her work was criticized for its literary style, with some reviewers describing her writing as overly didactic, preachy, and lacking in nuance and complexity. The society was pretty tough on women then!

7. Rand was a heavy smoker

Ayn Rand and her husband’s grave marker at Kensico Cemetery in Valhalla, New York. Image by Mark Paulin – Wikimedia

She was known to smoke several packs of cigarettes a day! She was often seen with a cigarette in hand during interviews and public appearances. She was a fimr believer on people having a right to make their own choices, even if those choices might be harmful to their health. She viewed smoking as a personal choice and did not appreciate the government infringing on that right with bans. however, actions have consequences and in the 70s, she was diagnosed with lung cancer.It is likely that her smoking contributed to her declining health in later years, and may have contributed to her premature death from lung cancer.

8. Her views gained a cult-like following all over the US

Minnesota Tax Cut Rally 2012. Image by Fibonacci Blue from Minnesota, USA – Wikimedia

The Objectivism movement started out in her living room in the 50s. It was mainly composed of students who were interested in her novel, The Fountainhead. What started as informal gathering soon expanded into a formal movement. Her followers were devoted to her, they went on to copy her life style; including buying matching furniture. they also went to the extent of wearing matching clothes with her novel characters. Jeff Walker, wrote a book, The Ayn Rand Cult, (1999) which discussed the Objectivism movement arguing that it displayed elements of though control and met the criteria for a destructive cult. 

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9. Her father predicted she would leave a mark and become world famous

Russian-American writer and philosopher Ayn Rand 1905-1982. Image by Julius Jääskeläinen – Wikimedia

Parents always want the best for their children. Rand’s father, Zinovy Rosenbaum, supported and encouraged her from an early age. He recognized her intelligence from childhood. He was often full of praise when he talked about his daughter. In letters to his relatives, Rosenbaum often spoke of his daughter’s remarkable abilities and predicted that she would become a great thinker and writer. For example, Rosenbaum wrote in a letter to his sister in 1913: “I predict that our daughter will become a world-famous writer. Her future is great, and I am sure she will be equal to it.”

10. She was a cat person

Rand loved cats. She owned several cats in her lifetime. She often wrote about her love for cats in her journals and letters, and some of the characters in her novels were also depicted as being fond of cats. In particular, she had a special affection for her cat named “Cissy,” whom she adopted in the 1960s and described as her “favorite cat.” Rand was known to be very protective of her cats and would often write about their personalities and habits in her journals. 

Overall, Rand may have been a mess of a person but she clearly had some truth in her. Her philosophical emphasis on individualism and personal freedom, did not ultimately mean everyone for himself rather it meant that your happiness comes before everything else.  At a time when mental health is highly advocated for, her philosophy is quite relevant to date.