Allen Ginsberg - 1926
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I. Biography Allen Ginsberg was born June 3, 1926. He grew up in Paterson, New Jersey. Ginsberg's father was a high school teacher and an accomplished poet of the lyric
form. Ginsberg's mother was a psychotic ex-Communist who suffered from delusions. The fact that his upbringing was incredibly non-conventional greatly influenced Ginsberg's writing style later in life.
Ginsberg entered Colombia University, partially inspired by his mom's fanatical tendencies to defend the under-privileged, as a pre-law student. Later, Ginsberg changed his major to Literature.
Ginsberg fell into a crowd of friends that consisted of later to be renowned writer Jack Kerouac. Ginsberg fell partially in step with the current "Beat Generation." Ginsberg was
expelled from Colombia, however later admitted again. At the age of 23, Ginsberg, living in an East Harlem tenement, claims to have heard the
voice of William Blake saying, "Ah! Sunflower." This turned Ginsberg's perspective towards life into a semi-religious view. He claims to have begun seeing the "hand of life"
everywhere in every structure, every living thing. Ginsberg continued his search for "life" through the year 1953, still living in New York City. Ginsberg gave his first reading of
"Howl" in the presence of his now long time friend Jack Kerouac. "Howl" would go onto to being one of the most widely recognized poems in the history of modern poetry.
Ginsberg began to partake in drug use to induce visions and to extend his perception of reality. Ginsberg's attention soon turned to politics. He exposed what he viewed as
political injustices to the public through his writing. Ginsberg was also greatly influenced by Buddhist teachings, of which he learned on a trip to Asia with Kerouac. Ginsberg is
currently a distinguished professor at Brooklyn College in New York I. List of Works: Illuminated Poems. Illustrated by Eric Drooker, Four Walls Eight Windows, NYC 1996.
Howl Annotated w/ facsimile manuscript. Harper Penennial (Paperback), NYC 1995. Cosmopolitan Grettings Poems 1986-1993. HarperCollins, NYC, 1994. III. Ginsberg on the Internet
For a complete list of works please visit
Ginsberg has composed many of his more famous poems in the New York City area, such as "Howl."
Ginsberg has also composed his work in many other states and countries. For a very in-depth interview with Mr. Ginsberg please visit:
For visuals of Mr. Ginsberg please visit:
http://www.booksmith.com/poetry/ginsberg.html
For related sites to Allen Ginsberg go to http://www.yahoo.com
and search for "Allen Ginsberg" Various works by Ginsberg can be found on IV. More Information about Ginsberg
Allen Ginsberg may be contacted Brooklyn College. Allen Ginsberg. Biography and various information on Mr. Ginsberg.
Public Heart. Interview with Mr. Ginsberg.
http://www.bookwire.com/hmr/REVIEW/moore.html
Allen Ginsberg Bibliography.
http://www.interlog.com/~mushroom/biblio.html
This essay was submitted by a student of Marylin Dykens, a teacher at Rome Academy High School in Rome New York.