The Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry to the Library of Congress, commonly referred to as the United States Poet Laureate, serves as the official poet of the United States. During their term, the poet laureate seeks to raise the national consciousness to a greater appreciation of the reading and writing of poetry.

A poet laureate (plural: poets laureate) [1] [2] [3] is a poet officially appointed by a government or conferring institution, typically expected to compose poems for special events and occasions. Albertino Mussato of Padua and Francesco Petrarca (Petrarch) of Arezzo were the first to be crowned poets laureate after the classical age ...

Dec 6, 2024 · Although the British poet laureate is now free of specific poetic duties, the American poet laureate, who is appointed annually, is expected to present one major poetic work and to appear at certain national ceremonies. This list orders the laureates chronologically, from the first to the most recent. (See also List of Poets Laureate of Britain.)

Learn about the role of the U.S. Poet laureate and what the poet laureate does, read poems by new U.S. Poet Laureate Ada Limón, and browse a list of the poets who have previously held this position.

The official title of the poet laureate is "Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry." This title was established by an act of Congress on December 20, 1985 (Public Law 99-194). From 1937 to December 20, 1985, the position was titled "Consultant in Poetry to the Library of Congress."

Jan 3, 2025 · Poet laureate is a title that was first granted in England in the 17th century for poetic excellence. Its holder is a salaried member of the British royal household, but the post no longer has specific poetic duties.

Read more about the history of poets laureate positions at the Library of Congress. Read about starting a poet laureate position where you live.

The current poet laureate of Alabama is Ashley M. Jones. Alabama has had an official poet laureate since 1930. The Alabama Writer's Cooperative (formerly the Alabama Writers' Conclave), described as "a voluntary organization of Alabama historians, playwrights, fiction writers, poets, and newspaper writers" first recommended in 1930 Samuel Minturn Peck to Governor Bibb …

Dec 5, 2024 · Until 1999 the position was a lifetime appointment; Andrew Motion was the first laureate to serve a fixed 10-year term. This list orders the laureates chronologically, from the first to the most recent.

Recipients of the honor usually serve for one year and promote poetry to the public through readings, lectures, or educational projects. Poems, readings, poetry news and the entire 110-year archive of POETRY magazine.