Allen Ginsburg
5 images Created 24 Jul 2013
Allen Ginsberg (1926-1997) was an American poet and writer known for his role in the Beat Generation movement of the 1950s and 1960s. He was born in Newark, New Jersey, and grew up in Paterson. Ginsberg attended Columbia University in the 1940s, where he met other future Beat writers such as Jack Kerouac and William S. Burroughs. Ginsberg's most famous work is the poem "Howl," which was published in 1956 which became a symbol of the counterculture movement. The poem challenged traditional ideas of morality and criticized the conformity of American society. "Howl" was initially banned for obscenity, but the decision was later overturned in court, establishing a precedent for free speech in literature. In addition to his poetry, Ginsberg was an active political and social activist. He was a strong advocate for gay rights and fought against censorship and government surveillance. He was also involved in the anti-war movement and participated in protests against the Vietnam War.