Hunter S. Thompson was the notorious journalist, politician, social commentator, rebel, sports enthusiast, doctor and icon behind some of the greatest American literary works of the late twentieth century. Thompson is perhaps most often associated with being the founder of Gonzo journalism, a style of reporting wherein the writer becomes so involved in the story that they become their own lead character in the resulting work. But behind the madcap lifestyle Thompson gained public attention for was a man driven by curiosity and the hunt for the real story, often at his own peril. This is a fan’s tribute to HST to commemorate his life during the fifth anniversary of his passing.

Hunter Stockton Thompson was born in Louisville, Kentucky, in 1937. While excelling academically, it was clear that Thompson was a clever eccentric with an attitude that rubbed many people the wrong way (or perhaps the right way, depending on individual perspective). Thompson started his journalistic career writing sports copy for local papers and also joined the Air Force for two years. After being released from the military, Thompson joked that his Air Force superiors had given him a “totally unclassifiable” status. Fired from his many jobs throughout the country in his early years for “insubordination,” Hunter aggressively denounced imposed rules and constantly defied any and all authority. But these were traits that would gain Thompson social notoriety, journalistic accolades, and hordes of fans in the years and decades to follow.

In 1960, Thompson moved to San Juan, Puerto Rico to work for a local newspaper. While residing in San Juan, he penned what is considered his first novel, The Rum Diary, which was not published until 1998. Thompson temporarily moved to Aspen, Colorado in 1964 with his wife, where they gave birth to a son, Juan Fitzgerald Thompson. Colorado would later become the site of Thompson’s compound, his hideaway from the world, and his place of death. But for now Thompson was offered to cover a story for The Nation, wherein he followed the California-based Hell’s Angels motorcycle gang for an entire year to report on the innermost happenings of the secretive and troublesome group. The article was published in 1965 and resulted in numerous book deals for Thompson, though the Angels turned against him when they realized they would not share in the profits. The novel, Hell’s Angels: A Strange and Terrible Saga was published by Random House in 1966 and was widely acclaimed for its up close and honest account of life among the traveling outlaws. Thompson remained active as a journalist and wrote bluntly about the Hippie culture in San Francisco. Himself a fan of both the Beat Generation authors and psychedelic drugs, Thompson scorned the burgeoning Hippies for lacking political aspirations and artistic spirit while existing without any perceived direction other than obtaining drugs.

By 1967 Thompson received a royalty check for his Hell’s Angels novel and paid for his “fortified compound” outside of Aspen, Colorado, where he would live for the rest of his life. It was at this time that Hunter became further intrigued by politics and ran for sheriff of Pitkin County, Colorado in 1970. Thompson and his fellow citizens ran under the “Freak Power” ticket, with aims to decriminalize drugs (for personal use only); gaining increasing notoriety due to the coverage Thompson received from Rolling Stone magazine. Thompson even shaved his head which enabled him to refer to his Republican rival for office as “my long-haired opponent,” in a brilliant and comical political move. Thompson and the “Freak Power” ticket narrowly lost the election. Thompson’s most famous literary work, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas: A Savage Journey to the Heart of the American Dream was published by Random House in 1971. The novel focused on the wild travels of Raoul Duke, an alias for Thompson, and his attorney, Dr. Gonzo as they sped across Las Vegas ripped on drugs and alcohol in order for Duke to cover the Mint 400 Desert Race while searching for the American Dream. Neither of the assignments is fully achieved as the deranged duo evades authority and corrupts consumerist’s Americana. Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas is still heralded as an achievement in poetic prose narrative and made Hunter S. Thompson a rebel icon with a literary gift.