Born on January 30th, 1935 in Tacoma, Washington, little is known of his childhood but it is rumored it was a troubled one.
Somewhere around 1955-1958, Richard moved to San Francisco, California and became involved in the Beat Movement.
In 1959, Lay the Marble Tea was published (his first published book?). This was a collection of 24 poems.
In the late 1960's, Brautigan began to gain popularity and during this time, published several of his most popular works (Trout Fishing in America, All Watched Over By Machines of Loving Grace, In Watermelon Sugar, etc.). During 1966-67, he served as the poet-in-residence at California Institute of Technology.
In 1972 or '73, Brautigan moved to Pine Creek, Montana and allegedly refused to give interviews or lecture for the next eight years.
In 1982, So the Wind Won't Blow It All Away is published. This will be his last published book because in 1984, Brautigan committed suicide. His body was discovered several weeks later on October 25, 1984. The 49-year-old author's body was found next to a bottle of alcohol and a .44 calibre gun.