The Gang's All Here

ALLEN GINSBERG

Became Famous For: Herding the Beats; his  epic poem, Howl

Now Famous For: Inspiring the 2010 film Howl, starring James Franco

Common Knowledge: A bearded mystic in oversized glasses who famously told The Paris Review about his habit of masturbating while reading  

What You'll Learn from Eminent Outlaws: Ginsberg tried to live a “normal” life with a 9-to-5 job and a girlfriend until he met Peter Orlovsky in 1954. After a therapist told him to follow his heart, Ginsberg moved in with Orlovsky and they lived as a couple until Ginsberg died in 1997.