Foundation

Main Characters and Their Development

• Hari Seldon: The founder of psychohistory, a science that predicts the future of large groups of people. At the beginning of the book, he is an elderly man who understands that the Galactic Empire is on the brink of collapse. His goal is to create the Foundation to help shorten the period of chaos and hasten the creation of a new Empire.
• Salvor Hardin: The first mayor of Terminus, the capital of the Foundation. He proves to be a smart and cunning politician who uses diplomatic and psychological methods to protect the Foundation from external threats. Hardin believes in the power of knowledge and persuasion rather than military might.
• Lewis Pirenne: One of the early leaders of the Foundation, a scientist and historian. Initially skeptical of Hardin's political methods, he eventually comes to understand their necessity. Pirenne represents the typical scholar who prefers theoretical knowledge to practical action.
• Hober Mallow: A trader and master of intrigue who becomes the mayor of Terminus. He uses trade as a means to expand the Foundation's influence and strengthen its position. Mallow demonstrates that economic power can be as important as military or political power.