- Kerouac put the Beat in Beatnik. He introduced the phrase the “Beat Generation” and thus became its poster boy, but he claimed the media, and companies trying to cash in on the craze, distorted the meaning. To him “Beat” had a spiritual meaning as in “beatitudes” and the Beat Generation was a group of illuminated hipsters who were ragged yet beautiful and full of intense conviction. Unfortunately, the meaning became associated with non-conformist youth, rebels and delinquents.
- His novel, On the Road, was considered the “Beatnik Bible.” It was typed on one long continuous roll of paper. “The Scroll,” as he called it, reached a length of 120 feet.
- French was his first language. He did not become adept at the English language until he was a teenager, after which he gave up French completely.
- Although he briefly dabbled in Buddhism, Kerouac remained a life-long Catholic – hence the whole Beat/Beatitudes definition.
- Kerouac went to Columbia University on a football scholarship
- His writing inspired many musicians in the 60’s including The Beatles, Bob Dylan, The Doors, Patti Smith, The Grateful Dead and Tom Waits.
Some Link Love to Amazon if you are so Inclined to Read:
Jack Kerouac’s Original Unedited Scroll Version of On the Road on Amazon

Jack Kerouac’s The Subterraneanson Amazon
