Henry George

Date of Birth: September 2, 1839

Zodiac Sign: Virgo

Date of Death: October 29, 1897

Biography

Henry George was an influential American political economist and journalist, best known for his ideas about land taxation and his opposition to monopolies. Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, he began his career as a typesetter and later became a journalist and editor. His most famous work, “Progress and Poverty,” published in 1879, examines the paradox of increasing inequality and poverty amidst economic and technological progress. George’s advocacy for a single tax on land value influenced many economic policies and reforms during his time and after. He ran for the mayor of New York City twice, coming in second in 1886 and third in 1897. Though he didn’t win, his campaigns brought significant attention to his ideas.

5 Interesting Facts about Henry George

1. Henry George’s book “Progress and Poverty” sold millions of copies worldwide and was translated into multiple languages.

2. He was largely self-educated, having left school at the age of 14.

3. George’s ideas influenced the establishment of the Garden Cities movement in the UK and the creation of the State of Israel.

4. He experienced extreme poverty early in his life, which profoundly impacted his economic theories.

5. Henry George’s proposal for a land value tax is considered a precursor to modern-day economic concepts of taxing unearned income.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Henry George

1. “Man is the only animal whose desires increase as they are fed; the only animal that is never satisfied.”

2. “The equal right of all men to the use of land is as clear as their equal right to breathe the air — it is a right proclaimed by the fact of their existence.”

3. “Let no man imagine that he has no influence. Whoever he may be, and wherever he may be placed, the man who thinks becomes a light and a power.”

4. “Social progress makes only that condition worse, which it first relieves, so that the last state of the working class is worse than the first.”

5. “Liberty means justice. It means equality of opportunity. It means the right to think and dream and hope and aspire.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Henry George did not achieve notable financial wealth; his highest net worth was modest, primarily consisting of his earnings from writing and journalism.

Children

Henry George had six children with his wife, Annie Corsina Fox: Anna Angela George, Henry George Jr., Richard Fox George, Jennie George Atkinson, William George, and Emily George. His son, Henry George Jr., followed in his footsteps and became a politician and writer.