(1760–1825). The French social reformer Henri de Saint-Simon was made famous by his friends. He was one of the founders of modern socialism, and after his death his followers spread his teachings and extended his influence throughout Europe and North America.
Claude-Henri de Rouvroy, comte de Saint-Simon, was born in Paris on Oct. 17, 1760. After irregular early schooling he entered the army and saw service in the American Revolution as an artillery captain at Yorktown. During the French Revolution he made a great deal of money in land speculation, but in a few years he spent himself into poverty. He then turned to the study of science. In an early book he proposed that scientists take the place of priests in the modern era. The violence of the Napoleonic wars led him to embrace Christianity, however, and to find in it the basis of a socialistic society. He predicted the approaching industrialization of Europe and proposed that nations unite to suppress war.
Saint-Simon’s major book was Nouveau Christainisme (1825; New Christianity). In it he stated that religion’s goal is “improving as quickly as possible the conditions of the poorest class.” He died the year it was published, on May 19. Within three years his followers had developed what was almost a religious cult based on their interpretation of his writings. His socialist principles were discussed in meetings held throughout France.