Born: June 3, 1926; Newark, New Jersey Father: Louis Ginsberg; poet, high school teacher Mother: Naomi Ginsberg
Ginsberg was first introduced to Walt Whitman's poetry in high school.
He enrolled
at Columbia University in New York City in 1944, where he met Kerouac,
Huncke, Carr, and Burroughs.
Allen was kicked out after two years and went to Denver to visit
Cassady. He
then moved on to
San Fransisco.
While living a New York City in 1948, Ginsberg had his famous Blake
Vision. Pursuit
of the meaning of this vision and attempts to recreate it led Ginsberg
for the next several years.
Howl was first read in October of 1955 at the Six
Gallery in San Fransisco.
Ginsberg traveled to such places as India, Cuba and Europe during the
sixties, as well as being
involved with Ken Kesey's Acid
Tests and
Timothy Leary's experiments with LSD.
In 1974 he and Anne Waldeman co-founded the Jack Kerouac School of
Disembodied
Poetics at the Naropa Institute.
In the early 80's, Ginsberg became involved with the punk movement
and appeared on a Clash album and also performed at their concerts.
Died: April 5, 1997 Place of Death: East Village, New York City
I realize that the above biography is skimpy at best, so to really learn
about his life, check out:
Literary Kicks Allen Ginsberg Biography.
