a brief biography

Gampopa (1079-1153) Foremost disciple of Milarepa who possessed both supreme realization and great scholarship. The great father of all the Kagyu lineages. Most known in the West as the author of The Jewel Ornament of Liberation. After he studied and practiced the Kadampa teachings, at the age of 32 he met Jetsun Milarepa, of whom he was to become the foremost disciple. Among his main disciples were the first Karmapa Dusum Khyenpa and Phagmo Drubpa.

Also:

Sonam Richen (sgam po pa bsod nams rin chen), 1079-1153. Born in Nyal, Eastern Tibet, he first trained as a physician, hence his name Dagpo Lharje (dwags po lha rje), the Physician of Dagpo (the name of the province in which he was to spend many years), became ordained at the age of 26 after his two children and wife died in an epidemic. After studied and practiced the Kadampa teachings, at the age of 32 he met Jetsun Milarepa, of whom he was to become the foremost disciple. His main disciples were the first Karmapa Dusum Khyenpa; (dus gsum mkhyen pa), 1110-1170, Phagmo Drupa; (phag mo gru pa rdo rje rgyal po), 1110-1170, Dharma Wangchuk; (dhar ma dbang phyug). (Mathieu Ricard)

More details can be found in The Life of Milarepa and The Rain of Wisdom, Shambhala Publications.

Publications:

Precious Garland of the Sublime Path

Life of Gampopa : The Incomparable Dharma Lord of Tibet
Jampa MacKenzie Stewart - life story of Gampopa, foremost disciple of Milarepa and a forefather of the Kagyu lineages