Allen Ginsberg was an American poet and one of the leading figures of the Beat Generation in the 1950s. He is best known for his poem 'HOWL', which was published in 1956. Ginsberg was a major influence on the counterculture of the 1960s and was a close friend of fellow Beat Poet Jack Kerouac. His work often explored themes of spirituality, sexuality, and social justice. He was also an advocate for free speech and civil rights.