Michael Horovitz

Michael Horovitz was a British poet, artist, and translator of German birth, active in the field of literature from the mid-20th century until his death in 2021. Born in 1935, he became a key figure in the UK's Beat Poetry scene, contributing to its development through his work as a poet, editor, and visual artist. As a student, Horovitz demonstrated his entrepreneurial spirit by founding the literary periodical New Departures in 1959, which published experimental poetry by prominent American and British beat poets.

Horovitz's involvement in the Beat Poetry scene extended to his participation in significant events, including the 1965 International Poetry Incarnation at the Royal Albert Hall in London. This landmark event, which drew an audience of over 6,000, featured readings by notable poets such as Allen Ginsberg, William S. Burroughs, and Lawrence Ferlinghetti, and is credited with spawning the British underground scene. Horovitz read his own work at this event, solidifying his position as a leading figure in the UK's literary landscape. Through his work as a poet, editor, and translator, Horovitz left a lasting impact on British literature and the Beat Poetry movement.