Hunter S. Thompson lived a long and interesting life. He was man who traveled the world and wrote articles and novels ranging from dirt-bike races to the campaigns of Richard Nixon. Whenever Thompson wrote about something, he completely immersed himself in the story. This was a totally different approach to journalism. Traditionally journalists do not include themselves in the story, but only report what they see. Not Thompson he became a part of the story. And in most cases the center of the story. Hence gonzo journalism was born.Gonzo Journalism is defined by Wikipedia as "a style of reporting that mixes fiction and factual journalism. It uses a highly subjective style that often includes the reporter as part of the story via a first person narrative and events can be exaggerated in order to emphasize the underlying message."
Hunter S. Thompson was born on July 18, 1937 to father Jack Robert and mother Virginia Ray in Louisville, Kentucky. His dad served in France during World War I. Jack returned from the war and became an insurance adjuster. Virginia Ray was a librarian and attended the University of Michigan. Thompson had two younger brothers Davison and James. When Thompson was fourteen his father dad died unexpectedly from a neuromuscular disease at 52 years of age. The death of Thompson’s father was devastating on the family. Virginia took it especially hard and began drinking heavily.
Thompson excelled at baseball but never played in high school. Even at this age Thompson was looking for something a little more exciting. Charged as an accessory to robbery after having been in a car with the person who actually committed the robbery. Thompson was sentenced to sixty days in Jefferson county jail but only served thirty. Still seeking adventure Thompson decided he wanted to try to fly planes for the United States Air Force. He was stationed first at Scott airforce base in illinois. He studied electronics for a while then applied for pilot trainining and was subsequently rejected, several times. This is how Thompson entered the world of Journalism. Thompson began writing as a sports editor for a navy newspaper, but was eventually discharged by the Air Force. He left the service in 1958 as an Airman First Class. A Chief of Information Services said “although talented, he will not be guided by policy.” From here, Thompson went on to pursue his life as a writer.
Hunter S. Thompson was an eccentric, intriguing, and talented figure in American literature. His style, much like that of Keourac’s, spawned a whole new breed of American authors. There is much to be said for being a famous controversial auathor, and it was hard for Thompson to live up to the preconcieved notions that people had of him. Throughout Thompson’s writings he made it very evident that he was a nonconformist and he felt that he lived on the outer edge of society looking in. His fascination with death, and insatiable appetite for drugs, like so many other authors and artist, eventually got the better of him, and his death was not as shocking as it seems.
Thompson died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head at his home in Woody Creek, Colorado. He was 67 years old. He titled his suicide note (which he mailed to himself a few days before the act). “Football Season Is Over.” It read, “No More Games. No More Bombs. No More Walking. No More Fun. No More Swimming. 67. That is 17 years past 50. 17 more than I needed or wanted. Boring. I am always bitchy. No Fun for anybody. You are getting Greedy. Act your old age. Relax—This won’t hurt.”
