b. 1930
Biography
Born in San Francisco, California, US poet Gary Snyder spent much of his youth in the Pacific Northwest, and his writing reflects a lifelong intimacy with the natural world and a deep interest in ecology. An early and influential member of the Beat literary scene, Snyder helped introduce the philosophy of Zen Buddhism to his peers. The inspiration for a character in Jack Kerouac’s popular novel Dharma Bums, he is often associated with poets like Allen Ginsberg and Robin Blaser. In 1974, Snyder won the Pulitzer Prize for his collection Turtle Island.