Leonard Alfred Schneider lived from 13 October 1925 to 3 August 1966. He became popular in the 50s and 60s with a bohemian crowd. His freewheeling stream-of-consciousness style reflected the jazz movement of the time and his material covered, what was then, taboo topics of race, sex and religion. As he gained, mainstream recognition, this fuelled his detractors - both religious groups and the authorities. He was arrested in 1961 under obscenity charges, and again in 1964. During the ensuing... moreLeonard Alfred Schneider lived from 13 October 1925 to 3 August 1966. He became popular in the 50s and 60s with a bohemian crowd. His freewheeling stream-of-consciousness style reflected the jazz movement of the time and his material covered, what was then, taboo topics of race, sex and religion. As he gained, mainstream recognition, this fuelled his detractors - both religious groups and the authorities. He was arrested in 1961 under obscenity charges, and again in 1964. During the ensuing six month trial, a host of writers, artists and musicians supported him explaining that his work was satire. However, he found it difficult to work again as any nightclub owner who hired him risked being prosecuted for obscenity too. He died, aged 40, of a drug overdose in his Hollywood home. Bruce's black humour paved the way for modern comedy - George Carlin, Richard Pryor and Robin Williams have cited him as influential and credited him with winning the freedom of speech we take for granted today.