Henry Miller

Henry Miller was born on December 26, 1891, in New York City. He was the son of Lutheran German parents, Heinrich Miller and Louise Marie. Miller grew up in the Yorkville section of Manhattan, specifically at 450 East 85th Street.

Henry Miller's writings are known for their exploration of freedom from conventional restraints of civilization. His books are a mix of sexual description, philosophical speculation, reflections on literature and society, surrealistic imaginings, and autobiographical incidents. Some of his most notable works include 'Tropic of Cancer' and 'Tropic of Capricorn,' which were published in Paris in 1934 and 1939, respectively. However, these works were not allowed publication in the United States until the early 1960s due to alleged obscenity.

Miller's 'The Colossus of Maroussi,' a travel book about modern Greece, is considered by some critics as his best work. His other significant writings include the Rosy Crucifixion Trilogy, consisting of 'Sexus' (1949), 'Plexus' (1953), and 'Nexus' (1960). In 1976, Norman Mailer edited a selection of Miller's writings titled 'Genius and Lust'.

Henry Miller's work is unique as it combines elements of novels, autobiographies, social criticism, philosophical reflections, surrealist free associations, and mysticism, all while being distinctly about and expressive of the real-life Henry Miller. Yet, it remains fictional. This distinctive style led to his books being banned in the United States for their lewd content until 1964 when a court ruling recognized Miller’s work as literature, marking one of the most celebrated victories of the sexual revolution.