William S. Burroughs (1914–1997) was an American novelist, visual artist, and literary innovator whose work redefined the boundaries of art and culture. A Beat Generation icon and counterculture pioneer, Burroughs is often regarded as a founder of postmodernism. Born into privilege but drawn to society’s margins, he spent much of his life battling heroin addiction and chronicling the lives of those on the fringes—the misfits, addicts, and hucksters. Burroughs was inducted into the American Academy and Institute of Arts and Letters, a moment he met with characteristic irony: “Twenty years ago they were saying I belonged in jail, now they’re saying I belong in their club.”

Desperation is the raw material of drastic change. Only those who can leave behind everything they have ever believed in can hope to escape.

William S. Burroughs

The first and most important thing an individual can do is to become an individual again, decontrol himself, train himself as to what is going on and win back as much independent ground for himself as possible

William S. Burroughs

Workshop on Burroughs January 19, 2025