Lawrence Ferlinghetti Quotes
A collection of quotes by Lawrence Ferlinghetti.
Lawrence Ferlinghetti (1919 - 2021) was an American poet, artist, and activist. He was born on March 24, 1919, in Yonkers, New York. Ferlinghetti is best known for his contributions to the Beat movement of the 1950s, particularly as the founder of the famous City Lights Bookstore and City Lights Publishing in San Francisco.
After serving as a Navy officer during World War II, Ferlinghetti settled in San Francisco where he opened City Lights Bookstore in 1953. The store became a beacon for the avant-garde literary and artistic community, providing a platform for countercultural works. In 1956, Ferlinghetti published Allen Ginsberg's iconic poem "Howl," which led to a highly publicized obscenity trial.
As a poet, Ferlinghetti's writings were characterized by a distinct blend of social commentary, jazz influences, and a spontaneous, free-flowing style. His collections often explored themes of freedom, democracy, and the human condition.
Ferlinghetti's own notable works include "A Coney Island of the Mind" (1958), which has sold over a million copies and remains one of the best-selling poetry books of all time. His poetry was celebrated for its accessibility and engaged with the political and social issues of his time.
Ferlinghetti passed away on February 22, 2021, at the age of 101. Throughout his life, he left a lasting impact on the literary and cultural landscape, both as an influential poet and as a champion of freedom of expression.
