Beat Generation

The Beat Generation began in the 1940s, with William Burroughs as one of its members. This group called themselves "Beat", which arose out of conversation when talking about how beaten and exhausted they felt.  They experimented with drugs, sexuality, religion and alternative forms of expression and were known for their spontaneous and extremely creative work. The group originally started being composed of a close group of friends who had met in New York, they later transferred to San Francisco and expanded the group. There, Beat Generation were able to organize the Six Gallery Reading for poets.