Lawrence Ferlinghetti (2005)

A prominent voice of poetry's wide-open movement that began in the 1950s, Lawrence Ferlinghetti has written poetry, translation, fiction, art criticism, and essays. He is co-owner in San Francisco of City Lights Bookstore and publishing house, which published early literary works of the Beat Generation. Often concerned with politics and social issues, his poetry countered the literary elite's definition of art and the artist's role. Though imbued with the commonplace, his poetry cannot be simply described as polemic or personal protest, for it stands on his craftsmanship, thematics, and grounding in tradition.

2005 Festival Details | More About Lawrence Ferlinghetti