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'''John Galt''' is the mysterious [[protagonist]], or more accurately [[anti-villain]], in [[Ayn Rand|Ayn Rand's]] novel ''[[Atlas Shrugged]]''. For much of the novel he is merely a name without a face, about whom people ask, "Who is John Galt?" without knowing what or whom they're talking about. Eventually John Galt answers them directly, in a manifesto for individualism and [[capitalism]].

'''John Galt''' is the mysterious [[protagonist]], or more accurately [[anti-villain]], in [[Ayn Rand|Ayn Rand's]] novel ''[[Atlas Shrugged]]''. For much of the novel he is merely a name without a face, about whom people ask, "Who is John Galt?" without knowing what or whom they're talking about. Eventually John Galt answers them directly, in a manifesto for individualism and [[capitalism]]. More to the point, he is an inventor, a philosopher, and a political movement leader, though not a politician in the usual sense, because he functions neither as legislator nor as administrator.

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== Back story ==

== Back story ==

John Galt came to the [[Patrick Henry]] University (not to be confused with the actual [[Patrick Henry College]] set up by [[James Falwell]]) "parentless, penniless, and tie-less," according to the account given by Hugh Akston, professor and chairman of philosophy. He came determined to pursue a double major: [[physics]] and [[philosophy]], the science of the world and the science of the mind. While at PHU, he met two other students who entered when he did, each of whom had a background radically different from his. One was [[Francisco d'Anconia|Francisco Domingo Carlos Andres Sebastian d'Anconia]], the current descendant of a famous Spaniard who established the family fortune by digging for copper in the [[Andes Mountains]] of [[Chile]]. The other was [[Ragnar Danneskjold]], a Scandinavian aristocrat. (His specific nation of origins is never specified.)

John Galt came to the [[Patrick Henry]] University (not to be confused with the actual [[Patrick Henry College]] set up by [[James Falwell]]) "parentless, penniless, and tie-less," according to the account given by [[Hugh Akston]], professor and chairman of philosophy. He came determined to pursue a double major: [[physics]] and [[philosophy]], the science of the world and the science of the mind. While at PHU, he met two other students who entered when he did, each of whom had a background radically different from his. One was [[Francisco d'Anconia|Francisco Domingo Carlos Andres Sebastian d'Anconia]], the current descendant of a famous Spaniard who established the family fortune by digging for copper in the [[Andes Mountains]] of [[Chile]]. The other was [[Ragnar Danneskjold]], a Scandinavian aristocrat. (His specific nation of origins is never specified.)

Remarkably, ''all three'' pursued the double major in physics and philosophy. The three men also became fast friends. But not a man among the three suspected how closely they would be working together after they graduated.

Remarkably, ''all three'' pursued the double major in physics and philosophy. The three men also became fast friends. But not a man among the three suspected how closely they would be working together after they graduated.

== Stop the motor ==

== Stop the motor ==

John Galt took his degree and signed on as a junior engineer with the Twentieth Century Motor Company, Rome, [[Wisconsin]]. There he conceived the idea that he could extract static electricity from the atmosphere and use it as an almost limitless source of energy. He actually completed an experimental prototype and prepared to demonstrate it to his employer, Gerald "Jed" Starnes.

John Galt took his degree and signed on as a junior engineer with the Twentieth Century Motor Company, Rome, [[Wisconsin]]. There he conceived the idea that he could extract static electricity from the atmosphere and use it as an almost limitless source of energy. He actually completed a prototypical electrostatic motor and prepared to demonstrate it to his employer, Gerald "Jed" Starnes.

Then disaster struck. Gerald Starnes died, and his three children—two brothers, Gerald Jr. and Eric, and their sister Ivy—proposed a radical change in management for the factory. Under this system, people would work according to their ability, but be paid according to their needs.

Then disaster struck. Gerald Starnes died, and his three children—two brothers, Gerald Jr. and Eric, and their sister Ivy—proposed a radical change in management for the factory. Under this system, people would work according to their ability, but be paid according to their needs.

== Galt's Gulch ==

== Galt's Gulch ==

The defection of Michael "Midas" Mulligan, a noted banker, changed the John Galt strike plan radically. [[Midas Mulligan]] became embroiled in a lawsuit after he refused a business loan to one Lee Hunsacker, who had bought the old Twentieth Century Motor Company in a fire sale after the Starns heirs finally ran that company completely into the ground. Hunsacker sued Mulligan. The original trial judge (Judge Narragansett) found for Mulligan, but that judgment was reversed on appeal. Naturally, John Galt approached Midas ''and'' Judge Narragansett and encouraged them to go on strike.

 

Then he met a banker named Michael "Midas" Mulligan. His defection changed the John Galt strike plan radically. [[Midas Mulligan]] became embroiled in a lawsuit after he refused a business loan to one Lee Hunsacker, who had bought the old Twentieth Century Motor Company in a fire sale after the Starnes heirs finally ran that company completely into the ground. Hunsacker sued Mulligan. The original trial judge ([[Judge Narragansett]]) found for Mulligan, but that judgment was reversed on appeal. Naturally, John Galt approached Midas ''and'' Judge Narragansett and encouraged them to go on strike.

Mulligan's answer was to liquidate his bank totally, though he made sure that no depositor lost any money in the liquidation. He then took the proceeds and bought a secluded valley in the [[Rocky Mountains]]. There he built a home and stocked it with supplies sufficient to let him retire there for life. Judge Narragansett then asked Midas whether he would be willing to rent some land to him, and Midas agreed.

Mulligan's answer was to liquidate his bank totally, though he made sure that no depositor lost any money in the liquidation. He then took the proceeds and bought a secluded valley in the [[Rocky Mountains]]. There he built a home and stocked it with supplies sufficient to let him retire there for life. Judge Narragansett then asked Midas whether he would be willing to rent some land to him, and Midas agreed.

Midas did more than that. He asked Galt to advertise leaseholds in his valley to other strikers. Galt did, and then the strikers began to populate the valley and even turn it into a functioning society and economy. Midas received rents from everyone and even reopened his bank. John Galt became the ''de facto'' mayor of what he called Mulligan's Valley (because Midas Mulligan actually owned the land) and the other strikers called Galt's Gulch (because John Galt was still their spiritual and political leader). In addition to acting as mayor, John Galt was also the chief utility provider—because the motor he had invented, that could draw static electricity from the atmosphere, now became the main power plant of the valley, which he housed in a building guarded by a sound lock that would respond only to a repetition of the Oath of the Men of the Mind that he had coined:{{cquote|I swear by my life, and my love of it, that I will never live for the sake of another man, nor ask another man to live for mine.}}

Apparently, John Galt built a much larger version of his electrostatic motor and used it to drive a [[dynamo]] to provide the valley with electric power. Now Midas asked Galt to advertise leaseholds in his valley to other strikers. Galt did, and then the strikers began to populate the valley and even turn it into a functioning society and economy. Midas received rents from everyone and even reopened his bank. John Galt became the ''de facto'' mayor of what he called Mulligan's Valley (because Midas Mulligan actually owned the land) and the other strikers called [[Galt's Gulch]] (because John Galt was still their spiritual and political leader, and because John Galt's electrostatic motor gave the valley an actual source of physical power). In addition to acting as mayor, John Galt was also the chief utility provider—because his electrostatic motor was now the main power plant of the valley, which he housed in a building guarded by a sound lock that would respond only to a repetition of the Oath of the Men of the Mind that he had coined:{{cquote|I swear by my life, and my love of it, that I will never live for the sake of another man, nor ask another man to live for mine.}}

The judicial power rested with Judge Narragansett, and legislation was by the rough equivalent of a [[New England]] [[town meeting]].

The judicial power rested with Judge Narragansett, and legislation was by the rough equivalent of a [[New England]] [[town meeting]].

So now, joining John Galt's strike meant leaving a punitive political and economic system, and joining a true [[republic]] in which [[capitalism]] and property rights were paramount.

So now, joining John Galt's strike meant leaving a punitive political and economic system, and joining a true [[republic]] in which [[capitalism]] and property rights were paramount.

Yet John Galt did not spend all his time in the valley. He spend eleven months out of the year as a track walker in the [[New York City]] terminal of the Taggart Transcontinental Railroad. His purpose was twofold. On one hand, he functioned, quite simply, as a spy, and cultivated a relationship with a junior executive (Eddie Willers) who would talk freely. On the other hand, he was spying on a particular executive with whom he had fallen in love: [[Dagny Taggart]], the President's sister, who served as Vice President in Charge of Operations.

Yet John Galt did not spend all his time in the valley. He spend eleven months out of the year as a track walker in the [[New York City]] terminal of the [[Taggart Transcontinental Railroad]]. His purpose was twofold. On one hand, he functioned, quite simply, as a spy, and cultivated a relationship with a junior executive ([[Eddie Willers]]) who would talk freely. On the other hand, he was spying on a particular executive with whom he had fallen in love: [[Dagny Taggart]], the President's sister, who served as Vice President in Charge of Operations.

== The last three years ==

== The last three years ==

John Galt's last three years were his busiest. In those years he accomplished his most numerous and most consequential recruitments. The consequences were, quite simply, devastating for the world system. As the United States government added outrage after outrage (with names like "Equalization of Opportunity Act" and "Directive 10-289," both of which presaged [[Richard Nixon]]'s wage and price controls and [[Barack Obama]]'s present program), John Galt found recruitment that much easier.

John Galt's last three years were his busiest. In those years he accomplished his most numerous and most consequential recruitments. The consequences were, quite simply, devastating for the world system. As the [[United States]] government added outrage after outrage (with names like "Equalization of Opportunity Act" and "[[Directive 10-289]]," both of which presaged [[Richard Nixon]]'s wage and price controls and [[Barack Obama]]'s present program), John Galt found recruitment that much easier.

Yet his two most important prospects continued to elude him, and to resist the efforts by his friend Francisco d'Anconia to recruit them. One was Dagny Taggart. The other was [[Henry Rearden]], the owner of a [[steel]] company who had developed his own new version of [[steel]] that included [[copper]] as well as [[iron]]. (The government had in fact confiscated the formula for "Rearden Metal," but the only steelmaker to try to copy the formula had to abandon the attempt after Ragnar Danneskjold shelled his factory to ruins by an offshore bombardment.)

Yet his two most important prospects continued to elude him, and to resist the efforts by his friend Francisco d'Anconia to recruit them. One was Dagny Taggart, with whom he was now fully in love, a state that he might have feared would cloud his judgment. The other was [[Henry Rearden]], the owner of a [[steel]] company who had developed his own new version of [[steel]] that included [[copper]] as well as [[iron]]. (The government had in fact confiscated the formula for "Rearden Metal," but the only steelmaker to try to copy the formula had to abandon the attempt after Ragnar Danneskjold shelled his factory to ruins by an offshore bombardment.)

== The scab ==

== The scab ==

In July of the last year of the strike, John Galt completed his recruitment of another striker, perhaps not quite realizing that Dagny Taggart was in hot pursuit. As he took off for Mulligan's Valley, he realized that an aircraft was in fact on his tail. He took no showy evasive action (perhaps his aircraft was not built for aerobatics), but simply flew to the valley and ducked behind the refractor-ray screen that he had installed, at an altitude of 700 feet above ground level (8700 feet above sea level), to create a mirror in the sky and make the valley look rocky instead of green and lush. To his horror, the pursuing aircraft followed him down, and impinged upon the screen. The rays struck the aircraft with a bright flash and instantly shut down its engine, causing it to spiral down. The pilot made one last desperate control input before crash-landing in the grass near the Valley airstrip. To Galt's further horror, Dagny Taggart was the pilot. To his immense relief, she survived with nothing more serious than a few broken ribs.

In July of the last year of the strike, John Galt completed his recruitment of another striker, perhaps not quite realizing that Dagny Taggart was in hot pursuit. As he took off for Mulligan's Valley, he realized that another aircraft was on his "six-o'clock." He took no showy evasive action (perhaps his aircraft was not built for aerobatics), but simply flew to the valley and ducked behind the refractor-ray screen that he had installed, at an altitude of 700 feet above ground level (8700 feet above sea level), to create a mirror in the sky and make the valley look rocky instead of green and lush. To his horror, the pursuing aircraft followed him down, and impinged upon the screen. The rays struck the aircraft with a bright flash and instantly shut down its engine, causing it to spiral down. The pilot made one last desperate control input before crash-landing in the grass near the Valley airstrip. To Galt's further horror, Dagny Taggart was the pilot. To his immense relief, she survived with nothing more serious than a few broken ribs.

Having little choice, John Galt hand-carried Dagny into the center of the little town and introduced her to the members of his community. He did not delude himself into thinking that she would join his strike immediately, and so he introduced her as "the [[scab]]." In actual fact, he allowed the townspeople to speak for him. Each one told her why he or she had quit the world, and also showed her some of what they had invented in the valley.

Having little choice, John Galt hand-carried Dagny into the center of the little town and introduced her to the members of his community. He did not delude himself into thinking that she would join his strike immediately, and so he introduced her as "the [[scab]]." In actual fact, he allowed the townspeople to speak for him. Each one told her why he or she had quit the world, and also showed her some of what they had invented in the valley.

One of the more brief visitors was Ragnar Danneskjold. Galt would not allow Ragnar to speak, in front of Dagny, about his meeting with Henry Rearden after the passage of Directive 10-289. Ragnar did speak of his privateering operations and his proposal to refund the income taxes of all the strikers. Dagny indignantly refused to accept any of Danneskjold's money and asked John Galt to hire her as his cook and housemaid, so that she could earn her room and board. Galt, beside himself with mirth, accepted the proposal.

One of the more brief visitors was Ragnar Danneskjold. Galt would not allow Ragnar to speak, in front of Dagny, about his meeting with Henry Rearden after the passage of Directive 10-289. (Galt had learned from one of his conversations with Eddie Willers that Dagny Taggart and Henry Rearden had been having an affair.) Ragnar did speak of his privateering operations and his proposal to refund the [[income tax]]es of all the strikers. Dagny indignantly refused to accept any of Danneskjold's money and asked John Galt to hire her as his cook and housemaid, so that she could earn her room and board. Galt, beside himself with mirth, accepted the proposal.

The valley dwellers had one occasion to be alarmed about two weeks into Dagny's stay: ''another'' aircraft dipped into the upper reaches of the cone that formed the valley, in an obvious search for Dagny's aircraft. Dagny gave a start of recognition, but denied it to Galt. Whether Galt was fooled by this, the story does not make clear—but in any case he would obviously learn later that the pilot of this search aircraft was Henry Rearden, with whom Dagny was having an affair at the time.

The valley dwellers had one occasion to be alarmed about two weeks into Dagny's stay: ''another'' aircraft dipped into the upper reaches of the cone that formed the valley, in an obvious search for Dagny's aircraft. Dagny gave a start of recognition, but denied it to Galt. Whether Galt was fooled by this, the story does not make clear—but in any case he would obviously learn later that the pilot of this search aircraft was Henry Rearden.

Galt entertained a small hope that Dagny would change her mind after he and Francisco d'Anconia invited her to see "D'Anconia Copper No. 1," a copper mine that Francisco had dug into the side of one of the mountains that formed the valley wall. Dagny pointed out that Francisco was wasting time he couldn't afford to waste by transporting the copper ore on muleback to the valley floor. She quickly sketched a plan to lay rail from the mine to the valley. But at the last minute, she bewailed that she could not bear to lay only a mile or two of track and abandon a transcontinental system.

Galt entertained a small hope that Dagny would change her mind after he and Francisco d'Anconia invited her to see "D'Anconia Copper No. 1," a copper mine that Francisco had dug into the side of one of the mountains that formed the valley wall. Dagny pointed out that Francisco was wasting time he couldn't afford to waste by transporting the copper ore on [[mule]]back to the valley floor. She quickly sketched a plan to lay rail from the mine to the valley. But at the last minute, she bewailed that she could not bear to lay only a mile or two of track and abandon a transcontinental system.

In the end, Dagny Taggart did not consent to remain in the valley. So John Galt took her out to the nearest airport—blindfolded, so that she would not be able to find the valley again.

In the end, Dagny Taggart did not consent to remain in the valley. So John Galt took her out to the nearest airport—blindfolded, so that she would not be able to find the valley again.

On September 2 of that year, the parliament of the People's State of Chile prepared to nationalize the D'Anconia Copper Company. But in synchrony with the striking of the speaker's gavel to call the parliament to order, Francisco d'Anconia blew up the last of his facilities.

On September 2 of that year, the parliament of the People's State of Chile prepared to nationalize the D'Anconia Copper Company. But in synchrony with the striking of the speaker's gavel to call the parliament to order, Francisco d'Anconia blew up the last of his facilities.

Francisco then went to work at the Rearden Steel Company, under an assumed name, as a furnace foreman. In October, a staged riot broke out at Rearden Steel, and Francisco led a contingent of regular workers to defeat the rioters, who were in fact government infiltrators. Henry Rearden was injured in the incident, and Francisco rescued him. Francisco talked to Rearden after he regained consciousness and finally persuaded him to join the strike. With Rearden came a very large contingent of his regular and long-standing employees.

Francisco then went to work at the Rearden Steel Company, under an assumed name, as a furnace foreman. In October, a staged riot broke out at Rearden Steel, and Francisco led a contingent of regular workers to defeat the rioters, who were in fact government infiltrators. Henry Rearden was injured in the incident, and Francisco rescued him. Francisco talked to Rearden after he regained consciousness and finally persuaded him to join the strike. With Rearden came virtually his entire regular workforce.

Now only Dagny Taggart remained in the larger world. John Galt was determined to recruit her. So now John Galt took his greatest risk.

Now only Dagny Taggart remained in the larger world. John Galt was determined to recruit her. So now John Galt took his greatest risk.

Thousands of listeners took John Galt's advice. They could not contact him, so they could not come to Mulligan's Valley. But many of them set up their own versions of Mulligan's Valley, chiefly armed camps in various forests and other "wilderness" regions.

Thousands of listeners took John Galt's advice. They could not contact him, so they could not come to Mulligan's Valley. But many of them set up their own versions of Mulligan's Valley, chiefly armed camps in various forests and other "wilderness" regions.

John Galt now made his almost-fatal mistake. He remained in New York City long enough for Dagny Taggart to come to him. But, unknown to her, she had the [[FBI]] on her tail, and in consequence, John Galt was arrested.

John Galt now made his almost-fatal mistake. He remained in New York City long enough for Dagny Taggart to come to him. But, unknown to her, she had the [[FBI]] on her tail, and in consequence, John Galt was arrested, as he knew he would be.

The authorities could not charge him with anything. Instead, President Thompson tried to urge him to take the post of "Economic Dictator" of the country, a suggestion that Galt found laughable. To illustrate the absurdity of the proposition, Galt said that his first order would be to abolish all income taxes and fire all government employees. Naturally, Thompson rejected those proposals.

The authorities could not charge him with anything. Instead, President Thompson tried to urge him to take the post of "Economic Dictator" of the country, a suggestion that Galt found laughable. To illustrate the absurdity of the proposition, Galt said that his first order would be to abolish all income taxes and fire all government employees. Naturally, Thompson rejected those proposals.

A number of senior administration officials then tried to plead with Galt, all to no avail. Floyd Ferris of the State Science Institute did not plead; he threatened. Specifically he threatened to institute a program of executions of "unproductive citizens," a program he said would be necessary if Galt did not cooperate. Thompson was horrified and said that Ferris was not serious. Galt was having none of that. He said, {{cquote|Oh yes, he did mean it. Tell that [illegitimate son] to look at me, and then look in the mirror, and ask himself whether I could ever think that ''my'' moral stature was at the mercy of ''his'' actions.}}

A number of senior administration officials then tried to plead with Galt, all to no avail. [[Floyd Ferris]] of the [[State Science Institute]] did not plead; he threatened. Specifically he threatened to institute a program of executions of "unproductive citizens," a program he said would be necessary if Galt did not cooperate. [[Mr. Thompson]] was horrified and said that Ferris was not serious. Galt was having none of that. He said, {{cquote|Oh yes, he did mean it. Tell that [illegitimate son] to look at me, and then look in the mirror, and ask himself whether I could ever think that ''my'' moral stature was at the mercy of ''his'' actions.}}

The last person to see Galt, and this at Galt's seemingly incongruous request, was his former chairman of physics at PHU, Dr. Robert Stadler, now the (nominal) Director of the State Science Institute. Galt said nothing; he merely allowed Stadler to babble at him about how much he wanted a laboratory and what he could have done with it. But Stadler talked too much, and revealed his conclusion that Galt was now the man who had to be destroyed. Stadler tried to take that back, but Galt said to him, {{cquote|You have said everything that I wanted to say to you.}}

The last person to see Galt, and this at Galt's seemingly incongruous request, was his former chairman of physics at PHU, Dr. [[Robert Stadler]], now the (nominal) Director of the State Science Institute. Galt said nothing; he merely allowed Stadler to babble at him about how much he wanted a laboratory and what he could have done with it. But Stadler talked too much, and revealed his conclusion that Galt was now the man who had to be destroyed. Stadler tried to take that back, but Galt said to him, {{cquote|You have said everything that I wanted to say to you.}}

Finally, the authorities put on a television show and announced a new "John Galt Plan for Peace and Prosperity," and ordered Galt (at the point of a gun) to dress for the occasion and appear on camera. Galt cooperated until at last the time came for him to speak. And then, moving swiftly enough that the viewers could not miss the gun aimed at him, he rushed to the on-stage podium and said, {{cquote|Get the [expletive] out of my way.}}

Finally, the authorities put on a television show and announced a new "John Galt Plan for Peace and Prosperity," and ordered Galt (at the point of a gun) to dress for the occasion and appear on camera. Galt cooperated until at last the time came for him to speak. And then, moving swiftly enough that the viewers could not miss the gun aimed at him, he rushed to the on-stage podium and said, {{cquote|Get...out of my way.}}

The authorities stopped the show immediately and then took Galt to the headquarters of the State Science Institute. They then tried to examine him under torture by electric shock—but Galt was prepared for it, and knew in advance that they would not dare deliver to him a lethal shock.

The authorities stopped the show immediately and then took Galt to the headquarters of the State Science Institute. They then tried to examine him under torture by electric shock—but Galt was prepared for it, and knew in advance that they would not dare deliver to him a lethal shock.

More to the point, "to go Galt" has now become a catch phrase for quitting a system that now begins to look like the extremely collectivistic system that Ayn Rand projected in her novel. Regardless of multiple accusations in the [[liberal]] media, no one has—yet—proposed to "go Danneskjold", i.e. turn privateer and make an active, not merely a passive, war.

More to the point, "to go Galt" has now become a catch phrase for quitting a system that now begins to look like the extremely collectivistic system that Ayn Rand projected in her novel. Regardless of multiple accusations in the [[liberal]] media, no one has—yet—proposed to "go Danneskjold", i.e. turn privateer and make an active, not merely a passive, war.

{{nb Atlas}}

{{nb Atlas}}

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Galt, John}}

[[category:Literary Figures]]

[[category:Literary Figures]]