Harry Browne

Who was he: Harry Browne (June 17, 1933 – March 1, 2006) was a libertarian writer, free-market thinking analyst and inspirational speaker who wrote 19 books that sold over two million copies. Browne also ran for president on the Libertarian Party ticket in 1996 and 2000.

Few people may know or remember that Harry Browne's early books featured Swiss annuities as a hedge against the high inflation then raging in the United States in the late 70's. Browne was unaware until the middle 1990s how his books had singlehandedly created the US market for Swiss annuities as an inflation and asset protection hedge. Harry is best known for his second book, How I Found Freedom in an Unfree World, published in 1973. The book described how readers could apply libertarian principles to their personal life to have greater freedom from those who would like to tell you how to live your life – whether it be government, relatives, friends, or just nosy people.

In addition to writing and making appearances on behalf of the Downsize DC Foundation, which Harry helped co-found and for which he served as Director of Public Policy for a year and a half, Browne hosted two weekly network shows called "The Libertarian Conversation" (since listeners were encouraged to call in), and "The Money Show," dealing with financial topics.

Both of these radio programs were on the Genesis Communications Network. Browne also worked with the Free Market News Network, of which he was the President for much of 2005, and a Senior Political Analyst. With Free Market News, Browne had his own weekly internet-based television show called "This Week In Liberty," which ran for 25 episodes.

Prior to his death, Browne was also working on a book called The War Racket: The Lies, Myths, and Propaganda that Feed the American War Machine. War, Browne contended, was just another government program, and was essentially flawed because "government never solves anything."

More information on Harry Browne's essays and how to purchase his 19 books can be found at HarryBrowne.org.

Background: Harry Browne was born in New York City and served in the United States Army for five years. Browne worked as a planner and investment advisor and first received national attention in the US with his 1970 book, How You Can Profit From The Coming Devaluation. The book was perhaps the first to explain what was about to happen to the US economy and became an instant bestseller. Browne would eventually write 13 books which sold more two million copies and continue to be in demand today.

Harry Browne was perhaps America's best known libertarian and gave many lectures on this philosophy. Harry suggested that people build their lives around methodologies that allow them to avoid various established social and business structures. Browne was the presidential nominee of the United States Libertarian Party in 1996 and 2000. Browne made it a policy not to accept matching funds. Harry's election campaigns raised the profile of the Libertarian philosophy and brought Browne's own thought to the attention of even more individuals seeking to understand how to "live free" in an "unfree world."

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