Henry George

Henry George was born in Philadelphia in 1839 and left school at age 14 to work as a sailor and later a journalist. His experiences in California during a period of rapid growth and land speculation shaped his economic views. In 1879, he published "Progress and Poverty," which argued that poverty persists alongside progress because private land ownership captures the value of economic growth. The book sold millions of copies worldwide and inspired social reform movements, including the single-tax movement. George ran for mayor of New York City in 1886 as a labor candidate and nearly won. His ideas influenced later economists, urban planners, and political figures. He died in 1897 while again campaigning for mayor. "Progress and Poverty" remains a foundational text in economic justice literature.