US novelist Jack Kerouac (born Jean-Louis Lebris de Kerouac in March 1922) named and epitomised the Beat Generation of the 1950s.
The first of his autobiographical, myth-making books, The Town and the City (1950), was followed by the rhapsodic On The Road (1957).
On The Road made Kerouac a beat icon, and he would publish twelve more novels during his life, in addition to numerous poetry volumes.
Other works written with similar free-wheeling energy and inspired by his interests in jazz and Buddhism include The Dharma Bums (1958), Doctor Sax (1959), and Desolation Angels (1965).
His major contribution to poetry was Mexico City Blues (1959).
Kerouac became a legendary symbol of youthful rebellion from the late 1950s, but before his early death from alcoholism, he had become a semi-recluse, unable to cope with his fame.
Kerouac passed away on 21 October 1969. He died from an abdominal haemorrhage caused by a lifetime of heavy drinking.
Related Posts
Jack Good Born in London on 7 August 1931, Jack Good was one of the first people in Britain to realise that…
Ossie Clark Raymond "Ossie" Clark moved to London from Oswaldtwistle Lancashire (from whence came the nickname "Ossie") in 1962 to enrol at…
Vivienne Westwood Original and outrageous, British designer Vivienne Westwood is one of the most recognised and influential designers of the late twentieth…
Annette Funicello Born on 22 October 1942, Annette Funicello became an overnight sensation in 1955 when she first appeared on a new…
Pelé Born Edson Arantes do Nascimento, Pelé was Brazil's soccer superstar, and one of the greatest footballers ever. He was fantastic,…
Tufty Tufty Fluffytail, a childlike red squirrel character was created in 1953 by Elsie Mills at The Royal Society for the…
Stock, Aitken & Waterman In the late 1980s the pop charts were awash with songs written and produced by Mike Stock, Matt Aitken and…
Groupies Once upon a time, there were girls (and occasionally guys) who took pride in the mere act of bedding rock…
