Canadian poet, community activist, performance artist and editor Murdoch Maclean Burnett was born in Calgary, Alberta, in 1953, the seventh of eleven children. Began writing poetry in 1971 and first performed publically in 1975 at the Alberta College of Art. Has lectured and instructed at local high schools, Alberta College of Art and Design, Mount Royal College and the University of Calgary. An active member of the alternative or counter culture, he has been involved in writing and editing a number of papers, magazines and literary collectives, producing performances of others such as William Burroughs and Allen Ginsberg, drumming in two rock bands, acting in local films, as well as publishing several novels and poetry collections. Additional information available in The literary history of Alberta, v. 2, p. 86, 180