John Galt is a central fictional character in Ayn Rand's 1957 novel Atlas Shrugged. Although he is not identified by name until the final third of the book, he remains a constant presence, serving as the object of the novel's famous recurring question, "Who is John Galt?" and the driving force behind the quest to find the answer. As the narrative unfolds, it is revealed that Galt has actually been active in the plot from the very beginning, playing several important roles while remaining unidentified to the reader.\n\nWithin the story, Galt is acknowledged as both a philosopher and an inventor. He strongly believes in the power and glory of the human mind, advocating for the rights of individuals to use their minds solely for their own benefit. Galt serves as a highly individualistic counterpoint to the collectivist social and economic structure depicted in the novel. This societal structure is characterized by oppressive bureaucratic functionaries and a culture that embraces mediocrity in the name of social egalitarianism, which the narrative posits is the direct result of collectivist philosophy.
