A poet laureate is a government-recognized official poet of a country, state, or city. The tradition began in England and has spread to other countries, including the United States. Poet laureates advise on promoting poetry and often hold special readings and events.
A poet laureate is a poet recognized by a government as the official poet of a country, state, or city. The term laureate is related to the laurel wreath, which would crown the head of great writers or poets. It is a symbol of Apollo, the Greek god of wisdom. Thus the title of poet laureate implies that the poet is exceptionally skilled and wise.
The tradition of recognizing a poet laureate began in England. A term before the reign of James I would have been “king’s poet”. This reflects earlier traditions of a poet or minstrel who might only work for the king’s pleasure and compose poems that specifically honor the king. Having a minstrel, storyteller or poet is much older than the monarchies of England. Any nobleman in most European countries would have appointed poets to help celebrate special occasions and provide entertainment.
England’s first ‘official’ poet laureate was Ben Johnson, named by James I in 1617. Other famous poet laureates include John Dryden, William Wordsworth, Tennyson and Cecil Day-Lewis. England has never had a poet laureate, although Wales recognizes Gwyneth Lewis as its national poet.
In the United States, the United States Librarian of Congress appoints the poet laureate. This position began in 1937, although many states previously nominated someone to this position, and many still do. Some cities, like San Francisco, even nominate city poets.
A poet laureate in the United States may still serve more than a year, but many only fulfill a one-year term, for which they receive a salary of US$35,000. The salary in these economic times does little to significantly improve the poet’s economic condition.
Notable past U.S. poets who have held the position include Robert Frost, Conrad Aiken, Robert Penn Warren, Mona Van Duyn, and Joseph Brodsky. Every Poet Laureate in the United States advises the Librarian of Congress on how to get more citizens interested in poetry. Most hold special readings and even attend events that bring together a number of poets to read their works for others.
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