Date of Birth: June 3, 1926
Zodiac Sign: Gemini
Date of Death: April 5, 1997
Biography
Allen Ginsberg was an American poet and a leading figure of the Beat Generation of the 1950s. Born in Newark, New Jersey, Ginsberg is best known for his poem “Howl,” which denounced what he saw as the destructive forces of materialism and conformity in the United States. His work embodies the countercultural spirit and often touches on themes of sexuality, politics, and spirituality. Ginsberg was a staunch advocate for free speech and social justice, often using his poetry as a platform for activism. He was also a practicing Buddhist and a supporter of various liberation movements. Over his lifetime, Ginsberg published numerous collections of poetry and was a prominent figure in both literary and activist circles.
5 Interesting Facts about Allen Ginsberg
1. Allen Ginsberg’s poem “Howl” was the subject of an obscenity trial in 1957, which ultimately affirmed the work’s artistic merit and free speech protections.
2. He was a close friend and collaborator of fellow Beat poets Jack Kerouac and William S. Burroughs.
3. Ginsberg was openly gay and his relationship with Peter Orlovsky lasted for more than four decades.
4. He was awarded the National Book Award for Poetry in 1974 for his book “The Fall of America: Poems of These States.”
5. Ginsberg was a founding member of the Jack Kerouac School of Disembodied Poetics at Naropa University in Boulder, Colorado.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Allen Ginsberg
1. “Follow your inner moonlight; don’t hide the madness.”
2. “America, I’ve given you all and now I’m nothing.”
3. “Whoever controls the media, the images, controls the culture.”
4. “You can’t blame the sinner for the sin.”
5. “I saw the best minds of my generation destroyed by madness, starving hysterical naked.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
At the peak of his career, Allen Ginsberg’s net worth was estimated to be around $3 million.
Children
Allen Ginsberg did not have any biological children.
Relevant Links
1. [Allen Ginsberg Biography – Poets.org](https://www.poets.org/poet/allen-ginsberg
2. [Allen Ginsberg – Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allen_Ginsberg
3. [The Beats: Allen Ginsberg – PBS](https://www.pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters/the-beats/96/
5. [Allen Ginsberg Collection – Stanford Libraries](https://library.stanford.edu/ginsberg
