The term 'ATLAS SHRUGGED AUTHOR' is composed of four crossword solutions: AYN (3 letters), RAND (4 letters), GALT (4 letters), and AYNRAND (7 letters). These solutions refer to the author of the novel Atlas Shrugged, AYN Rand. AYN Rand was a Russian-American novelist, philosopher, playwright, and screenwriter. She is best known for her two best-selling novels, The Fountainhead and Atlas Shrugged. Her philosophy of Objectivism advocates rational self-interest and individual rights.