Ken Kesey was an American novelist, best known for his novel 'One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest'. Born on September 17, 1935 in La Junta, Colorado, Kesey became a key figure in the counterculture movement of the 1960s. He gained fame through his participation in experiments with psychedelic drugs, notably LSD, which inspired his writing. Kesey's work often explored themes of madness, freedom, and the individual's struggle against societal norms. He passed away on November 10, 2001 in Eugene, Oregon.