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Laurence Ferlinghetti - Biography

Ferlinghetti: Light Bearer Words and City Lights Publishing House

Laurens is a name associated with American countercultural literature and the Beat movement. He was not only a prominent poet, but also a publisher, activist and artist. His life and work left an indelible mark on the history of literature and culture in the United States. In this biography, we will immerse ourselves in the world of Lawrence and study his important contributions.

Laurens was born on March 24, 1919, in Union City, New Jersey. His childhood was unusual, and he spent it in different cities and countries, such as France, which greatly influenced his worldview and creative interests. In the 1920s, his family returned to the United States, and Lawrence began attending school.

Laurens began his literary career in his early youth. He studied at the University of Colombia and at the Sorbonne in Paris, where he became acquainted with European literary tradition and expressionism. Back in the United States, he became active in the Beatnic movement and was friends with literary legends such as Jack Kerouac and Allen Ginsberg.

In 1953, Lawrence Ferlinghetti founded the iconic City Lights publishing house in San Francisco. This publishing house became famous for publishing important and innovative literary works, including Allen Ginsberg's famous poem "The War" (Howl), which caused scandal and litigation over accusations of pornography and insulting public morality.

Laurens himself was a talented poet. His poems were distinguished by an experimental style and a mixture of genres. He often touched on social and political topics, and his works became a symbol of the spirit of protest and non-conformism of beatniks.