Objectivism is a philosophical system developed by
Russian-American writer
Ayn Rand (1905–1982). Rand first expressed Objectivism in her fiction, most notably
The Fountainhead (1943) and
Atlas Shrugged (1957), and later in nonfiction essays and books.
Leonard Peikoff, a professional philosopher and Rand's designated intellectual heir, later gave it a more formal structure. Peikoff characterizes Objectivism as a "closed system" that is not subject to change.