Beat Generation Biographer,
Ginsberg Archivist Bill Morgan to Speak

Wednesday, Nov. 8
Reception at 5 p.m.; Reading at 5:45 p.m.
Louis Round Wilson Library
Event Information: Liza Terll (919-962-4207)

Oct. 27 - Beat Generation insider Bill Morgan will be at the Louis Round Wilson Library on Wednesday, Nov. 8 at 5:45 p.m. to talk about his new biography, "I Celebrate Myself: The Somewhat Private Life of Allen Ginsberg."

Morgan served as Ginsberg's personal archivist and bibliographer from the early-'80s until the author's death of cancer in 1997. Over their 20-year professional relationship, Morgan became quite close to Ginsberg, and has written extensively on the Beat Generation and its key figures.

The talk will be in the Pleasants Family Assembly Room on the second (main) floor of the Wilson Library, with a reception beforehand at 5 p.m. in the lobby. The event, sponsored by Friends of the Library, is free and open to the public.

"Somewhat Private Life" is the first biography published about the poet since his death, and coincides with the 50th anniversary of his most famous work, "Howl."

Morgan contributed heavily to the library's collection of Beat materials, which now totals more than 15,000 items. Charles McNamara, curator of the Rare Book Collection, said the library holds some 4,000 pieces related to Ginsberg, including the extremely rare mimeograph first edition of "Howl" and a large set of personal photographs annotated by the poet.

Morgan also will discuss two of his other recently published books about a movement defined by its free jazz and freer lifestyle. "Howl on Trial: The Battle for Free Expression," which Morgan edited, follows the famous censorship trial surrounding Ginsberg's best-known poem. "The Book of Martyrdom and Artifice: First Journals and Poems: 1937-1952," was written by Ginsberg and this edition was co-edited by Morgan.

For information about the reception and reading, contact Liza Terll at 919-962-4207.

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