Hip Glossary – Burroughs, William S.

Burroughs, William S.: Beat author wrote autobiographical “Naked Lunch” about his life as a drug addict, murderer and homosexual. Other books include “Junky” and “Queer”. Burroughs’ thing was personal freedom. To him this meant breaking all the rules, which he did whenever he could. Burroughs’ talent is undeniable. Depite (or because of?) being a junkie, he was able to convey what it’s like to be living on the dark edge of reality. His intake of all sorts of drugs obviously inspired some people to experiment. Many beats and hippies can relate to Burroughs’ life situation as a social outcast from mainstream American society (remember much of this happened in the 50’s). Burroughs wrote about those things that no other writer of his time (except Allen Ginsberg) would consider suitable subjects. Indeed the publishing and subsequent banning of Naked Lunch turned into a landmark case for free speech in America. Burroughs influenced many around him including other authors and musicians.