Iceberg Slim
Robert Beck, better known as Iceberg Slim, was born Robert Lee Maupin in 1918.
He spent much of his early life as a pimp and criminal before turning to writing in his 40s.
His most famous work, Pimp: The Story of My Life, draws heavily from his own experiences in the underworld.
Beck's raw, unflinching prose style and use of street slang gained him a wide following, particularly in the African American community.
His work has been credited with influencing hip-hop culture and providing insight into the harsh realities of urban life.
Beck's later years were spent as a family man and writer until his death in 1992.
