Who is primarily linked to the Beat Generation alongside Ginsberg?

The primary figure linked to the Beat Generation alongside Allen Ginsberg is Jack Kerouac. Kerouac was a key author and one of the leading voices of the Beat movement, which emerged in the 1950s. His work, particularly the novel "On the Road," captures the spirit of the Beat Generation, emphasizing themes of spontaneity, exploration, and a rejection of conventional society. The connection between Ginsberg and Kerouac is significant, as both authors were central to the movement’s literary output and participated in its many communal gatherings and readings.

The other individuals mentioned, while notable poets and writers, do not share the same direct association with the Beat Generation. For instance, Longfellow and Whitman were part of American literary history in earlier periods, and Ferlinghetti, although a contemporary of Ginsberg and a significant figure in the movement, is more often recognized for his contributions as a publisher and facilitator of Beat literature rather than being a primary figure alongside Kerouac or Ginsberg. Therefore, Jack Kerouac stands out as the most directly associated with Ginsberg in the context of the Beat Generation.