Origin Of The Phrase Rugged Individualism

An advocate of rugged individualism as a social or economic ideal.

Origin of the phrase rugged individualism.

In the english language the word individualism was first introduced as a pejorative by utopian socialists such as the owenites in the late 1830s although it is unclear if they were influenced by saint simonianism or came up with it independently. A more positive use of the term in britain came to be used with the writings of james elishama smith who was a millenarian and a. A hardy self reliant independent person. Herbert hoover speech in new york oct.

Meaning vigorous strong robust is american english by 1848.