Hunter was “a cute, jolly, fun kid and he made me laugh,” said high school girlfriend Judy Stellings. From the 1953 Spectator, courtesy of Porter Bibb.
Hunter’s juveniledelinquent role models included Marlon Brando and James Dean. Courtesy of the Filson Historical Society.
Hunter’s serious demeanor in his senior portrait in the Male High yearbook belies his hoodlum nature. Courtesy of the Filson Historical Society.
While living in Puerto Rico, Hunter was a frequent subject for his housemate’s camera. Photograph by Paul Semonin.
Sandra Conklin moved in with Hunter in 1960 and married him in 1963. She supported him through the writing of his finest work. Here, Hunter photographed her towel-drying in the tropics. Photo courtesy of the Thompson family.
Ralph “Sonny” Barger in 1965, the year that Hunter began hanging out with the Hell’s Angels motorcycle club. Photograph courtesy of Sonny Barger.
Hunter turned pundit after the 1972 presidential campaign, taking questions with Frank Mankiewicz (center) during a Yale University forum moderated by Professor Robert Dahl (left). Associated Press / Wide World Photos.
Hunter took refuge in the Florida Keys at the end of the seventies with girlfriend Laila Nabulsi. While fans clamored for more Gonzo journalism, Hunter savored the island life. Photographs by Tom Corcoran.
In Jimmy Buffett’s borrowed Key West apartment , Hunter scrutinizes one of his works-in-progress. Photograph by Tom Corcoran.
During one of his stays in the Keys to prepare for his role as Hunter in Where the Buffalo Roam, actor Bill Murray joined Hunter for a spin on the boat Hunter bought with his movie check. Photograph by Tom Corcoran.
Tom Corcoran and Hunter at the Bat Tower on Sugarloaf Key, scouting places where the smugglers of their Cigarette Key screenplay would hide their stash. Photograph by Tom Corcoran.
Hunter created wall-sized storyboards and collages to help organize his work. Here’s his wall circa 1983, with a portrait of Juan prominent (lower right). Photographs by Tom Corcoran.
Deborah Fuller worked with Hunter for twenty-three years and lived at Owl Farm. He once accidentally shot her while trying to scare a bear away from her cabin, but she lived to tell the tale. Photograph courtesy of Deborah Fuller.
Hunter with his Great Red Shark in front of his Woody Creek home in 1994. Photograph by Christopher Felver / Corbis.
A nocturnal creature, Hunter did some of his best farming at night on his beloved John Deere. Photograph by Kevin Simonson.
Hunter behaved himself at Juan’s wedding to Jennifer Winkel, wearing dress clothes and even tolerating a religious service. Photograph by Louie Psihoyos / Corbis.
During a photo session for the cover of Better Than Sex in 1994, Hunter fires a warning shot from his .45-caliber handgun. Photograph by Louie Psihoyos / Corbis.
Visiting Kentucky poet Ron Whitehead with Hunter in 1995. Hunter appreciated Whitehead’s looking in on Virginia Thompson at her Louisville nursing home. Photograph courtesy of Ron Whitehead.
Writer Kevin Simonson knew that when he showed up to interview Hunter he had to play along with the doctor’s kitchen games. Photograph courtesy of Kevin Simonson.
Actor Johnny Depp dogged Hunter while preparing for Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. At the Woody Creek Tavern, he posed with Hunter and friend/waitress Cheryl Frymire. Photograph courtesy of Cheryl Frymire.
Wayne Ewing was a young filmmaker when he began following Hunter around in the eighties, hoping to create a cable television show. That idea fell through, but he produced three films about Hunter, including Breakfast with Hunter and When I Die, about the preparations for the 2005 blast-off memorial. Photographs courtesy of Wayne Ewing.
Hunter’s kitchen was his command post. From his stool, he wrote, took phone calls, and held court. Photograph by Matthew Hahn.
In the nineties, Hunter often stayed put at Owl Farm, where the host greeted guests such as Don Dixon in a woman’s wig. Photograph courtesy of DeDe Brinkman.
In New Orleans a month before his death, Hunter met with producers Steven Land (left) and Geoffrey Proud (right) to discuss a cable-television reality program. Douglas Brinkley lurks behind Hunter, who loved the concept. Photograph courtesy of Geoffrey Proud.
Hunter kisses Anita Thompson after their civil ceremony in April 2003. Anita clutches the fee for the marriage license. Photograph by Louisa Davidson, Associated Press / Wide World Photos.
Hunter’s homemade do-not-disturb sign, which he posted on the door of his cabin. Courtesy of DeDe Brinkman.
Juan Thompson and Anita Thompson co-hosted a legal seminar at Owl Farm in 2006. Photograph by Jeralyn Merritt.
The memorial tower for Hunter’s second funeral was built to his specifications and rose 153 feet above Owl Farm. Photo by Ed Andrieski, Associated Press / Wide World Photos.
Bob Braudis met Hunter during the 1970 Freak Power campaign and later became the multiterm sheriff of Pitkin County, Colorado. Photograph by William McKeen
Ralph Steadman imitates Hunter. Photographs by Joseph Owens.
Ralph Steadman displays his Hunter-inspired art at his home in Kent, England. Photographs by Joseph Owens.
Portrait of the artist in repose. Hunter relaxes in his American-flag hammock at Owl Farm. Photograph by Louie Psihoyos / Corbis.