Philip Lamantia Author

Philip Lamantia (1927-2005) became a nationally-known poet at 15, published by surrealist magazines View and VVV. He became a major twentieth century poet, precursor to and fellow traveler with the Beat Generation. Reflecting his esoteric mysticism and use of consciousness-expanding drugs, Lamantia's poetry is considered the primary link between the European avant-garde and American counterculture. John Hoffman (1928-1952) is a legendary member of the original Beat Generation poets. Dying of unknown causes on a trip to Mexico, he remained unpublished during his lifetime. In 1955, Philip Lamantia read Hoffman's poetry at the 6 Gallery reading where Ginsberg debuted "Howl." This is the first appearance of Hoffman's poetry in any widely-available form.