Howl and Other Poems — composition, publication, and obscenity trial (1955–1958)

1. Ginsberg begins drafting “Howl”

   Sep 1, 1954Labels: Allen Ginsberg, Howl draft

   • Howl poem

2. First public reading at the Six Gallery

   Oct 7, 1955Labels: Six Gallery, Public reading

   • History com
   • Six Gallery

3. Ferlinghetti wires Ginsberg seeking the manuscript

   Oct 8, 1955Labels: Lawrence Ferlinghetti, City Lights

   • Howl poem

4. City Lights publishes “Howl and Other Poems”

   Nov 1, 1956Labels: City Lights, Howl book

   • Howl and Other
   • Howl poem

5. U.S. Customs seizes imported copies

   Mar 25, 1957Labels: U S, Howl imports

   • History com
   • Howl poem

6. Police arrest City Lights manager Shig Murao

   Jun 3, 1957Labels: Shig Murao, City Lights

   • Shig Murao
   • FoundSF

7. Ferlinghetti faces obscenity prosecution

   Jun 3, 1957Labels: Lawrence Ferlinghetti, Obscenity prosecution

   • City Lights
   • Poetry Foundation

8. Obscenity trial begins in San Francisco municipal court

   Aug 16, 1957Labels: San Francisco, Judge Clayton

   • City Lights

9. Trial testimony features literary experts for the defense

   Aug 20, 1957Labels: Literary experts, Trial testimony

   • City Lights
   • Guardian

10. Charges against Murao are dismissed

    Sep 3, 1957Labels: Shig Murao, Charge dismissal

    • City Lights

11. Judge Horn rules “Howl” is not obscene

    Oct 3, 1957Labels: Judge Clayton, Howl ruling

    • Howl and Other
    • Guardian

12. Post-verdict surge expands circulation of the book

    Jan 1, 1958Labels: City Lights, Book circulation

    • Howl and Other
    • City Lights