Neal Cassady

In October 1945, he marred, LuAnne Henderson, a fifteen year old. Their marriage was annulled in 1948.

In 1948, he married Carolyn Cassady, with whom he fathered three children. They settled down in Monte Sereno, California.

In 1950, he wed Diane Hansen in what would become a bigamous marriage. They had a son named, Curtis.

He was born as Neal Leon Cassady on February 8, 1926 in Salt Lake City, Utah. His early life had a tragic beginning as he lost his mother Maude Jean at the tender age of ten. After the death of his mother, he was left under the care of his alcoholic father, Neal Marshall Cassady.

For most of his growing years, he lived on the streets of Skid row, a shabby neighbourhood in Denver, Colorado. These years were troubled and he became involved in a lot of petty crimes.

At the age of fourteen, he was arrested for stealing a car. He was later caught for shoplifting, fencing and other petty crimes.

Around 1941, when he was 15, he came to the notice of a teacher named Justin W. Brierly. Brierly soon became his mentor and got him admitted into the East High School.

In spite of being mentored by Justin W. Brierly, he continued his notorious lifestyle and was arrested. In 1944, he was imprisoned for a period of eleven months. During this period he wrote letters to Brierly.

In 1947, he relocated to New York City along with his wife, LuAnne Henderson. Here he met writers, Jack Kerouac and Allen Ginsberg at Columbia University through his mentor and friend, Hal Chase.

In 1940s, along with Allen Ginsberg and Jack Kerouac, he co-authored the poem, 'Pull My Daisy'. This was also made into a short film of the same name, inspired by an incident in his life.

He formed a close friendship with writers, Jack Kerouac and Allen Ginsberg and socialised with their friends. Soon, he became a member of the ‘Beat Generation', a community of writers who came to eminence in the 1950s, post the World War II.

This writer and poet of the 1950s 'Beat Generation' was known for his unfaithfulness. It is believed that he cheated with many women on the same day. He had a bigamous marriage with two women and was also bisexual.