Hunter Stockton Thompson, known by his pseudonym Raoul Duke and affectionately nicknamed HST, was a groundbreaking American journalist and author. His journey into journalism catapulted him to fame with the release of Hell's Angels in 1967, a daring exploration of the lives of the notorious motorcycle gang, which he achieved by living among them for a year. This bold immersion into the world of his subjects set the stage for his development of Gonzo journalism, a revolutionary style where Thompson placed himself at the heart of the story, blurring the lines between observer and participant, fiction and reality.

In 1970, Thompson penned The Kentucky Derby Is Decadent and Depraved for Scanlan's Monthly, further cementing his reputation as a countercultural icon. His most celebrated work, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, first appeared in Rolling Stone in 1972, capturing the disillusionment with the 1960s counterculture. The book's journey through a drug-fueled escapade in Las Vegas served as a metaphor for the failure of the American Dream, and it was later adapted into films in 1980 and 1998.

Thompson's attempts to infiltrate the political scene included a run for sheriff of Pitkin County, Colorado, on the Freak Power ticket in 1970. He was also known for his vehement opposition to Richard Nixon, whom he viewed as embodying America's darkest aspects. His coverage of George McGovern's 1972 presidential campaign for Rolling Stone was later compiled in Fear and Loathing: On the Campaign Trail '72.

Despite a prolific start, Thompson's later years were marked by a struggle with fame, substance abuse, and incomplete assignments. Nonetheless, he continued to contribute to various publications, including Rolling Stone, Playboy, Esquire, and ESPN.com, until his death.

Thompson's legacy extends beyond his written work; he was notorious for his use of alcohol and illegal drugs, his love for firearms, and his disdain for authority. He famously quipped, "I hate to advocate drugs, alcohol, violence, or insanity to anyone, but they've always worked for me." Thompson's life ended by suicide at 67, after battling a series of health issues, leaving behind a complex legacy as an American moralist who used his own vices to expose the vices of the society he lived in.