Peter Keating seems more analogous because he was born rich, never really had to try, basically ripped off the work of others and ruthlessly exploited his relative position to others. Plus, in the end he gives up what he truly wants for the sake of others.

James Taggart is a pretty good match for many of the same reasons. He has the added bonus of having some abilities (he was Dagney’s brother after all), and he is well aware that his sense of altruism is purely for show — he wants to maintain his lofty status by buying off the lesser beings with other people’s talents.

Of course, if you consider Gates’ misfortune with the relentless anti-trust suits, both here and in Europe, you can’t help but draw a comparison to Hank Rearden.

Come to think of it, Rand could probably write an entire book around Bill Gates.