Date of Birth: March 24, 1919
Zodiac Sign: Aries
Date of Death: February 22, 2021
Biography
Lawrence Ferlinghetti was an influential American poet, painter, socialist activist, and co-founder of City Lights Booksellers & Publishers. He was born on March 24, 1919, in Yonkers, New York. Ferlinghetti is best known for his association with the Beat Generation and for his book “A Coney Island of the Mind,” which has sold over a million copies worldwide. He was a prominent cultural figure in San Francisco, where his bookstore became a hub for the literary and countercultural movements. Ferlinghetti’s poetry often tackled social and political issues, blending humor and critique to challenge the status quo. In addition to his literary contributions, he was an active supporter of free speech and was famously involved in the 1957 obscenity trial for publishing Allen Ginsberg’s “Howl.”
5 Interesting Facts about Lawrence Ferlinghetti
1. Lawrence Ferlinghetti served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and participated in the Normandy invasion on D-Day.
2. He earned a Master’s degree in English literature from Columbia University and a Doctorate from the Sorbonne in Paris.
3. Ferlinghetti co-founded City Lights Booksellers & Publishers in 1953, which became a landmark for the Beat Generation.
4. His book “A Coney Island of the Mind” is one of the best-selling poetry books of all time, with over a million copies sold.
5. Ferlinghetti was an accomplished painter, and his art was featured in numerous exhibitions.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Lawrence Ferlinghetti
1. “Poetry is eternal graffiti written in the heart of everyone.”
2. “If you’re too open-minded; your brains will fall out.”
3. “Don’t let that horse eat that violin.”
4. “Constantly risking absurdity and death whenever he performs above the heads of his audience.”
5. “The poet, like the acrobat, climbs on rime to a high wire of his own making.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
At the peak of his career, Lawrence Ferlinghetti’s net worth was estimated to be around $5 million.
Children
Lawrence Ferlinghetti had two children: Julie and Lorenzo Ferlinghetti.
Relevant Links
1. [Wikipedia – Lawrence Ferlinghetti](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lawrence_Ferlinghetti
3. [City Lights Booksellers & Publishers](https://www.citylights.com/
5. [Academy of American Poets – Lawrence Ferlinghetti](https://poets.org/poet/lawrence-ferlinghetti
