Ken Kesey
Born in 1935
Ken Kesey gained fame with his 1962 novel One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, which drew from his experiences working in a psychiatric hospital.
He became a countercultural icon in the 1960s, leading the Merry Pranksters in psychedelic adventures.
Kesey's writing career included another novel, Sometimes a Great Notion, and various other works.
He faced legal troubles for drug possession, briefly fleeing to Mexico before serving jail time.
Kesey later settled on a farm in Oregon, continuing to write and teach.
His life and work significantly influenced the beat and hippie movements, blending literary pursuits with countercultural experimentation.
