Allen Ginsberg
Allen Ginsberg, who howled about life in America, died on April 5th, aged 70
WHEN Allen Ginsberg was being shown around an Oxford college he asked to see the rooms Shelley had used. His companion was uncertain of their whereabouts, but pointed hopefully to a door. Mr Ginsberg entered, dropped to his knees and kissed the carpet, much to the surprise of the occupant, who was making tea. Shelley would have been amused. He would have recognised a fellow romantic and quite likely invited him along to meet Keats and Byron. And as a connoisseur of dope, the American must have a chat with De Quincey about the virtues of opium.
This article appeared in the Obituary section of the print edition under the headline “Allen Ginsberg”
Obituary April 12th 1997
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