Howard Marks
Biography
Howard Marks (1945-2016) was a Welsh drug smuggler, author, and raconteur who gained notoriety under the alias 'Mr. Nice.' Born in Kenfig Hill, Wales, he excelled academically, studying physics at Oxford University before embarking on a life of international cannabis trafficking. During the 1970s and 80s, Marks built a vast global drug empire, operating across continents and using dozens of aliases, including the famous 'Mr. Nice.' He was eventually apprehended by the DEA in 1988 and sentenced to 25 years in a US federal penitentiary, serving seven before his release in 1995. Upon his return to the UK, Marks reinvented himself as a writer and public speaker. His best-selling autobiography, 'Mr. Nice,' chronicled his extraordinary life and cemented his status as a counterculture icon. He continued to advocate for cannabis legalization and remained a charismatic figure until his death from colorectal cancer in 2016.
Selected Thoughts
«I was an innocent until I was convicted. Then I was a criminal.»
«I suppose the most significant moral lesson I learnt was that one should always be true to one's self. Even if that self is a bit of a bastard.»
«I was a drug smuggler for 20 years. I did it because it was fun and because I could make a lot of money doing it.»
Writing Style
Candid, humorous, self-deprecating, and highly engaging, Marks's writing often reads like a thrilling adventure narrative. He blends personal anecdotes with keen observations on society, drug culture, and the justice system, maintaining a conversational and accessible tone. His prose is characterized by a remarkable lack of self-pity and a philosophical outlook on his controversial past.