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'''Allen Ginsberg''', one of America's best known poets<ref>http://www.nytimes.com/books/01/04/08/specials/ginsberg-obit.html</ref>, was born June 3, 1926, in [[Newark]], [[New Jersey]]. Along with others such as [[Jack Kerouac]] and [[William S. Burroughs]], he became part of what was dubbed the "Beat Generation" of writers.

'''Allen Ginsberg''', one of America's best known poets<ref>http://www.nytimes.com/books/01/04/08/specials/ginsberg-obit.html</ref>, was born June 3, 1926, in [[Newark]], [[New Jersey]]. Along with others such as [[Jack Kerouac]] and [[William S. Burroughs]], he became part of what was dubbed the "Beat Generation" of writers.

Ginsberg was a major advocate for freedom of expression throughout his life, and is most famous for his long poem, "Howl," which drew national attention in 1956 when it was challenged on obscenity charges.

Ginsberg was a major advocate for freedom of expression throughout his life, and is most famous for his long poem, "Howl," which drew national attention in 1956 when it was challenged on obscenity charges.

He died of liver cancer on April 5, 1997.<ref>http://www.english.uiuc.edu/maps/poets/g_l/ginsberg/life.htm</ref> Ginsberg was also a fervent supporter of gay rights, and an anti-war, anti-nuclear and environmental activist, and is known for his controversial behavior.  He was widely criticised, even by friends and allies, when he joined the notorious North American Man-Boy Love Association, or [[NAMBLA]].<ref>http://www.ijn.com/archive/2002%20arch/062102.htm#story8</ref>  In "Thoughts on NAMBLA," Ginsberg explains his reasons for joining the organisation: "NAMBLA's a forum for reform of those laws on youthful sexuality which members deem oppressive, (it is) a discussion society not a sex club.  I joined NAMBLA in defense of free speech."<ref>Bill Morgan, ed., ''Deliberate Prose: Selected Essays 1952-1995.'' New York: HarperCollins (2000), ISBN 0-06-093081-0 (p.170)</ref>  When he felt his point had been made--that free speech should be afforded even those with unpopular viewpoints--he quit the organisation.

He died of liver cancer on April 5, 1997.<ref>http://www.english.uiuc.edu/maps/poets/g_l/ginsberg/life.htm</ref> Ginsberg was also a fervent supporter of gay rights, and an anti-war, anti-nuclear and environmental activist, and is known for his controversial behavior.  He was widely criticised, even by friends and allies, when he joined the notorious [[North American Man-Boy Love Association]], or [[NAMBLA]].<ref>http://www.ijn.com/archive/2002%20arch/062102.htm#story8</ref>  In "Thoughts on NAMBLA," Ginsberg explains his reasons for joining the organisation: "NAMBLA's a forum for reform of those laws on youthful sexuality which members deem oppressive, (it is) a discussion society not a sex club.  I joined NAMBLA in defense of free speech."<ref>Bill Morgan, ed., ''Deliberate Prose: Selected Essays 1952-1995.'' New York: HarperCollins (2000), ISBN 0-06-093081-0 (p.170)</ref>  When he felt his point had been made--that free speech should be afforded even those with unpopular viewpoints--he quit the organisation.

Ginsberg became a student of the well-known [[Tibet]]an [[Buddhism|Buddhist]] teacher Chögyam Trungpa after a chance meeting in [[New York City]] in 1970.<ref>http://poetry.about.com/od/20thcenturypoets/p/ginsberg.htm</ref>

Ginsberg became a student of the well-known [[Tibet]]an [[Buddhism|Buddhist]] teacher Chögyam Trungpa after a chance meeting in [[New York City]] in 1970.<ref>http://poetry.about.com/od/20thcenturypoets/p/ginsberg.htm</ref>