About Alene Lee
Lived 1931 – 1991 (aged 59–60). Alene Lee was a writer.
Alene Lee (1931–1991) was an African-American member of the Beat Generation in New York City whose romantic relationship with Jack Kerouac was the central theme in his novel The Subterraneans. Kerouac used the pseudonym Mardou Fox for Lee. Lee was also the model for the character of Irene May in Book of Dreams and Big Sur. Lee shunned publicity, but her daughter has written about her life.
Born Arlene Garris, in Washington D.C., she grew up in Staten Island, New York and met Jack Kerouac in 1953, when she was typing manuscripts for Burroughs and Allen Ginsberg.
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Important facts
People in Alene Lee's life
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Frequently asked questions
Who was Alene Lee?
writer (1931–1991)
When was Alene Lee born?
Alene Lee was born in 1931.
When did Alene Lee die?
Alene Lee died in 1991.
What was Alene Lee's occupation?
Alene Lee was a writer.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Alene Lee. https://biography.guide/alene-lee/
MLA: "Alene Lee." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/alene-lee/.
Chicago: "Alene Lee." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/alene-lee/.
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