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Joan Vollmer | |
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![]() Vollmer, early 1940s | |
Born | Loudonville, New York, U.S. | February 4, 1923
Died | September 6, 1951 Mexico City, Mexico | (aged 28)
Cause of death | Gunshot wound |
Other names | Joan Vollmer Adams Joan Vollmer Burroughs |
Education | Doane Stuart School |
Alma mater | Barnard College[1] |
Spouse | William S. Burroughs |
Children | Julie Adams William S. Burroughs Jr. |
Joan Vollmer (February 4, 1923 – September 6, 1951)[2] was an influential participant in the early Beat Generation circle. While a student at Barnard College, she became the roommate of Edie Parker (later married to Jack Kerouac). Their apartment became a gathering place for the Beats during the 1940s, where Vollmer was often at the center of marathon, all-night discussions. In 1946, she began a relationship with William S. Burroughs, later becoming his common-law wife. In 1951, Burroughs killed Vollmer. He claimed, and shortly thereafter denied, the killing was a drunken attempt at playing William Tell.