Photo by Rachel Homer
Gregory Corso was a renowned poet and a key figure in the Beat Generation, a literary movement that explored alternative forms of self-expression, spirituality, and countercultural ideas. His poetry is characterized by its spontaneity, emotional intensity, and direct language as he explored themes of love, alienation, and social rebellion. He taught in the early days of Naropa through the summer writing program and workshops. His dynamic presence as a guest lecturer exposed students to his unique creative style and poetic techniques, helping them engage with the Beat ethos firsthand which embraced unconventional, innovative approaches to writing. Corso, along with other key Beat Poets and founding faculty, helped shape a creative writing environment at Naropa that pushed the boundaries and impacted generations to come.
