born Oct. 17, 1760, Paris, France
died May 19, 1825, Paris
French social theorist.
He joined the French army at age 17 and was sent to aid the colonists in the American Revolution. After his return to France (1783), he made a fortune in land speculation but gradually dissipated it. He turned to the study of science and technology as the solution to society's problems and wrote "On the Reorganization of European Society" (1814) and (with Auguste Comte ) "Industry" (181618), in which he envisioned an industrialized state directed by modern science. In New Christianity (1825), he stated that religion should guide society toward improving life for the poor. His disciples helped influence the rise of Christian socialism .
Henri de Saint-Simon, lithograph by L. Deymaru, 19th century
BBC Hulton Picture Library