The American writer Jack Kerouac, b. Jean Louis Kerouac, Lowell, Mass., Mar. 12, 1922, d. Oct. 21, 1969, became the leading chronicler of the beat generation, a term that he coined to label a social and literary movement in the 1950s. After studying briefly at Columbia University, he achieved fame with his spontaneous and unconventional prose, particularly the novel On the Road (1957). After the success of this work Kerouac produced a series of thematically and structurally similar novels, including The Dharma Bums and The Subterraneans (both 1958), Doctor Sax (1959), Lonesome Traveler (1960), and Big Sur (1962). His loosely structured, autobiographical works reflect a peripatetic life, with warm but stormy relationships and a deep social disillusionment assuaged by drugs, alcohol, mysticism, and biting humor.
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- Beat-L A Beat Generation Listserv.
- Jack Kerouac Character Alias Key Based on a list Ann Charters wrote for her 1973 biography of Jack Kerouac.
- Kerouac Connection The longest running journal dedicated to the critical study and review of the literature of Jack Kerouac and the Beat Generation.
- Lowell Celebrates Kerouac The official site of LCK with information on the annual festival held in October, the birthday celebration in March and other related events. LCK is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to preserving the legacy of Jack Kerouac.
- The Boston Phoenix A short article about the 1999 "Lowell Celebrates Kerouac" festival and the battle over control of Kerouac's literary estate.
- Magician With Words Describes his visit to San Francisco, including his trips to the City Lights Bookstore and his other haunts. Also includes bibliographic information.
- Ladder to Nirvana 1957 review of Kerouac's 'On the Road' by Phoebe Lou Adams.
- Kerouac: Homage to Jack Brief essay on the writer.
- Jack Kerouac and David Amram Musician Amram remembers his interactions with Kerouac and his transformation into the figure that would represent the Beats.
- The Subterraneans Discussion forum on the works of Jack Kerouac.
- The Age of Unthink This chapter from James Wechsler's "Reflections of an Angry Middle-Aged Editor" records Wechler's frustrating confrontation with Jack Kerouac in 1958.
- The Kerouac Project of Orlando A non-profit corporation working to further Kerouac's legacy in Orlando, Florida where Kerouac was living at the time his classic On the Road was published. The goal, is to award aspiring writers with a chance to live in the home rent-free, and receive scholarships to travel and write in the spirit of Kerouac.
- Dharma Beat An e-zine dedicated to writing about Jack Kerouac's life and work. Includes a calendar of readings, festivals, and other events.
- Literary Kicks A hypertext annotated literary biography of Kerouac, with a selection of links to further Kerouac-related resources.
- Big Sur Reading Jack Kerouac Big Sur Marathon reading July 22, 2001.
- David Amram on Jack Kerouac Jack Kerouac friend and musical collaborator, the composer David Amram, discusses their life and times in a Jerry Jazz Musician interview.