Claude Henri de Rouvroy, comte de Saint-Simon, often referred to as Henri de Saint-Simon (17 October 1760 – 19 May 1825) is a French early socialist theorist whose thought influences the foundations of various 19th century philosophies; perhaps most notably Marxism, positivism and the discipline of sociology.

He was born an aristocrat.

In opposition to the feudal and military system he advocates a form of state-technocratic socialism, an arrangement where industrialists would lead society and found a national community based upon cooperation and technological progress, which would be capable of eliminating poverty of the lower classes.

In place of the church, he feels the direction of society should fall to the men of science.

Men who are fitted to organize society for productive labor are entitled to rule it.