John Clellon Holmes

John Clellon Holmes (March 12th, 1926 - March 2nd, 1988) is best known for his 1952 book Go, which described characters such as Jack Kerouac, Neal Cassady, and Allen Ginsberg and is considered the first "Beat" novel. Holmes came to the conclusion that the values and ambitions of the Beat Generation were symbolic of something bigger, which was the inspiration for "Go." He was often referred to as the "quiet Beat," and was one of Kerouac's closest friends. He also wrote what is considered the definitive jazz novel of the Beat Generation, "The Horn."

Related Topics:
March 12th - 1926 - March 2nd - 1988 - Go - Jack Kerouac - Neal Cassady - Allen Ginsberg

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The origin of the term "beat" being applied to a generation is rumored to have been conceived by Kerouac and Holmes, who, at a gathering once, a poetry reading, engaged in a conversation about their generation. The subject was their state of existence, the nature of their subjective life, a life determined by their own choice to reject conformity. Holmes proceeded to say that their generation was being persecuted or beat down. Later Kerouac in an interview coined the phrase "beat generation."

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Later in life, Holmes taught at the University of Arkansas and lectured at Yale and gave workshops at Brown University.

Related Topics:
Yale - Brown University

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