Main content

Howl: The Poem That Revolutionised US Writing

How Allan Ginsberg's reading at a San Francisco art gallery in 1955 started the "Beat Generation".

Allen Ginsberg first read his poem Howl, at an art gallery in San Francisco in October 1955. It marked a turning point in American literature and is credited with starting the "Beat Generation" of American writers. Michael McClure, a fellow poet, took part in the reading that night. The programme was first broadcast in 2012.

Photo: Allen Ginsberg, front row centre, with other poets in 1965. Express/Getty Images.

Available now

9 minutes

Last on

Sun 7 Oct 2018 02:50GMT
±«Óãtv World Service except News Internet

More episodes

Previous

The Soviet Union's Fashion Revolutionary

Next

Reform of the House of Lords

See all episodes from Witness History

Broadcasts

  • Fri 5 Oct 2018 07:50GMT
    ±«Óãtv World Service except News Internet
  • Sun 7 Oct 2018 02:50GMT
    ±«Óãtv World Service except News Internet

Podcast