William Seward Burroughs II (; also known by his
pen name William Lee; February 5, 1914 – August 2, 1997) was an American
novelist,
short story writer,
satirist,
essayist,
painter, and
spoken word performer. A primary figure of the
Beat Generation and a major
postmodernist author who wrote in the
paranoid fiction genre, he is considered to be "one of the most politically trenchant, culturally influential, and innovative artists of the 20th century". His influence is considered to have affected a range of popular culture as well as literature. Burroughs wrote eighteen novels and novellas, six collections of short stories and four collections of essays. Five books have been published of his interviews and correspondences. He also collaborated on projects and recordings with numerous performers and musicians, and made many appearances in films.