Claude Henri de Rouvroy Saint-Simon (1760-1825), French socialist, born in Paris. At the age of 16 he went to the United States to fight in the American Revolution. When he returned to France, he supported the Revolution there, giving up his title. He is considered one of the founders of modern socialism. His writings present arguments in favor of a social organization directed by people of science and industry for the benefit of the whole society. He believed that industrialization—a term he created—would improve society by eliminating war and poverty and by maintaining justice. He also hoped that Christianity would be a guiding force for industrialization. The students of Saint-Simon organized and popularized his ideas after his death, and his principles became known as the philosophy of Saint-Simonianism. His major work is Le nouveau Christianisme (The New Christianity, 1825).