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For the US Poet Laureate, see Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry to the Library of Congress. The Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry to the Library of Congress is appointed by the United States Librarian of Congress and earns a stipend of $35000 a year

A Poet Laureate is a poet officially appointed by a government and is often expected to compose poems for State occasions and other government events. A poet is a person who writes Poetry. Etymology From the Ancient greek: ποιέω, poieō: "I make or compose" The plural form is poets laureate. Plural is a Grammatical number, typically referring to more than one of the Referent in the real world

In England, the term has for centuries been the title of the official poet of the monarch, appointed for life since the time of Charles II. England is a Country which is part of the United Kingdom. Its inhabitants account for more than 83% of the total UK population whilst its mainland Charles II (Charles Stuart 29 May 1630 – 6 February 1685 was the King of England, Scotland, and Ireland. Poets laureate are appointed by many countries. In Britain there is also a Children's Laureate. Children's Laureate is a position awarded in the UK once every two years to a distinguished writer or illustrator of children's books.

Contents

Origin of the term

In ancient Greece the laurel was sacred to the god Apollo, and was used to form a crown or wreath of honour for poets and heroes. The Bay Laurel ( Laurus nobilis, Lauraceae) also known as True Laurel, Sweet Bay, Grecian Laurel, Laurel, or A laurel wreath is a circular Wreath made of interlocking branches and leaves of the Bay Laurel ( Laurus nobilis Lauraceae) an aromatic This custom has since become widespread, both in fact and as a metaphor. The word laureate or laureated thus came in English to signify eminence or association with glory. Laureate letters were once the despatches announcing a victory. The term laureate became associated with degrees awarded by European universities (the term baccalaureate for the degree of bachelor reflects this idea). As a royal degree in rhetoric, poet laureate was awarded at European universities in the Middle Ages. Rhetoric has had many definitions no simple definition can do it justice The term might also refer to the holder of such a degree, which recognised skill in rhetoric, grammar and language.

According to the historian Edward Gibbon, Petrarch (Francesco Petrarca, 1304–74) of Rome, perhaps best known for his sonnets to the fair-haired, blue-eyed Laura, took the title of "poet laureate" in 1341. Edward Gibbon ( April 27, 1737 January 16, 1794) was an English historian and Member of Parliament. Francesco Petrarca ( July 20, 1304 – July 19, 1374) known in English as Petrarch, was an Italian scholar

History

From the more general use of the term "poet laureate" arose its restriction in England to an official office of Poet Laureate, attached to the royal household. James I essentially created the position as it is known today for Ben Jonson in 1617, although Jonson's appointment does not seem to have been formally made. James VI and I (19 June 1566 – 27 March 1625 was King of Scotland as James VI, and King of England and King of Ireland as James Benjamin Jonson ( c 11 June 1572 &ndash 6 August 1637) was an English Renaissance Dramatist The office was a development from the practice of earlier times when minstrels and versifiers formed part of the King's retinue. Richard Coeur de Lion had a versificator Regis (King's Poet), Gulielmus Peregrinus, and Henry III had a versificator named (Master Henry). Richard I (8 September 1157 &ndash 6 April 1199 was King of England from 6 July 1189 until his death Henry III (1 October 1207 &ndash 16 November 1272 was the son and successor of John "Lackland" as King of England, reigning for fifty-six years from 1216 In the 15th century, John Kay, also a "versifier", described himself as Edward IV's "humble poet laureate". Edward IV ( 28 April 1442 – 9 April 1483) was King of England from 4 March 1461 until 2 October

No single authentic definitive record exists of the office of Poet Laureate of England. England is a Country which is part of the United Kingdom. Its inhabitants account for more than 83% of the total UK population whilst its mainland According to Wharton, Henry I paid 10 shillings a year to a Versificator Regis. Henry I (c 1068/1069 – 1 December 1135) was the fourth son of William I the Conqueror, the first King of England after the Norman Geoffrey Chaucer 1340–1400 was called Poet Laureate, being granted in 1389 an annual allowance of wine. Geoffrey Chaucer (c 1343 – 25 October 1400? was an English author poet Philosopher, bureaucrat, courtier and Diplomat. W. Hamilton classes Chaucer, Gower, Kay, Andrew Bernard, Skelton, Robert Whittington, Richard Edwards, Spenser and Samuel Daniel, as "volunteer Laureates". Geoffrey Chaucer (c 1343 – 25 October 1400? was an English author poet Philosopher, bureaucrat, courtier and Diplomat. John Skelton, also known as John Shelton (c 1460 &ndash June 21, 1529) English Poet, was born at Diss in Norfolk

John Skelton studied at Oxford University in the early 1480s, and was advanced to the degree of "poet laureate" in 1488. John Skelton, also known as John Shelton (c 1460 &ndash June 21, 1529) English Poet, was born at Diss in Norfolk The University of Oxford (informally "Oxford University" or simply "Oxford" located in the city of Oxford, Oxfordshire, England is the The title of laureate was also conferred on him by the University of Louvain in 1492, and by Cambridge University in 1492–3. The Catholic University of Leuven, or Louvain, was the largest oldest and most prominent university in Belgium. The University of Cambridge (often Cambridge University) located in Cambridge, England, is the second-oldest university in the He soon became famous for rhetoric, satire and translations. In 1488 Skelton joined the court of Henry VII, tutored Henry VIII and was the official royal poet for most of the next 40 years. Henry VIII (28 June 1491 &ndash 28 January 1547 was King of England and Lord of Ireland, later King of Ireland and claimant to the Kingdom of He was held in high esteem: "But I pray mayster John Skelton, late created poete laureate in the unyversite of Oxenforde, to oversee and correct this sayd booke" — Caxton in the preface to The Boke of Eneydos compyled by Vargyle 1490.

The title of Poet Laureate, as a royal office, was first conferred by letters patent on John Dryden in 1670, two years after Davenant's death. John Dryden (– was an influential English poet Literary critic, Translator and playwright who dominated the literary life of Restoration England The post then became a regular institution. Dryden's successor Shadwell originated annual birthday and New Year odes. The poet laureate became responsible for writing and presenting official verses to commemorate both personal occasions, such as the monarch's birthday or royal births and marriages, and public occasions, such as coronations and military victories. His activity in this respect has varied according to circumstances, and the custom ceased to be obligatory after Pye's death. The office fell into some contempt before Southey, but took on a new lustre from his personal distinction and that of Wordsworth and Tennyson. Alfred Tennyson 1st Baron Tennyson (6 August 1809 – 6 October 1892 was Poet Laureate of the United Kingdom and remains one of the most popular English poets Wordsworth stipulated, before accepting the honour, that no formal effusions from him should be considered a necessity; but Tennyson was generally happy in his numerous poems of this class.

On Tennyson's death there was a considerable feeling that no possible successor was acceptable, William Morris and Swinburne being hardly suitable as court poets. William Morris (24 March 1834 – 3 October 1896 was an English Architect, Furniture and Textile designer artist writer and socialist associated Algernon Charles Swinburne (5 April 1837 – 10 April 1909 was a Victorian era English poet Eventually, however, the undesirability of breaking with tradition for temporary reasons, and thus severing the one official link between literature and the state, prevailed over the protests against allowing anyone of inferior genius to follow Tennyson. It may be noted that abolition had been similarly advocated when Warton and Wordsworth died. Edward Gibbon had condemned the position's artificial approach to poetry:

From Augustus to Louis, the muse has too often been false and venal: but I much doubt whether any age or court can produce a similar establishment of a stipendiary poet, who in every reign, and at all events, is bound to furnish twice a year a measure of praise and verse, such as may be sung in the chapel, and, I believe, in the presence, of the sovereign. Edward Gibbon ( April 27, 1737 January 16, 1794) was an English historian and Member of Parliament. I speak the more freely, as the best time for abolishing this ridiculous custom is while the prince is a man of virtue and the poet a man of genius.

— Gibbon: The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire: Chapter LXX (footnote)

The salary has varied, but traditionally includes some alcohol. The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire (known popularly as The History) was written by English Historian Ben Jonson first received a pension of 100 marks, and later an annual "terse of Canary wine". Benjamin Jonson ( c 11 June 1572 &ndash 6 August 1637) was an English Renaissance Dramatist Dryden had a pension of £300 and a butt of Canary wine. Pye received £27 instead of the wine. Tennyson drew £72 a year from the Lord Chamberlain's department, and £27 from the Lord Steward's "in lieu of the butt of sack". Alfred Tennyson 1st Baron Tennyson (6 August 1809 – 6 October 1892 was Poet Laureate of the United Kingdom and remains one of the most popular English poets The Lord Chamberlain or Lord Chamberlain of the Household is one of the chief officers of the Royal Household in the United Kingdom, and is to be distinguished

List of Poets Laureate of England

Mediæval

Under the Tudors

From 1599 to the Present

Poets Laureate in other countries

Other countries have established similar official posts. Edward IV ( 28 April 1442 – 9 April 1483) was King of England from 4 March 1461 until 2 October Bernard André (Andreas was a French Augustinian poet a chronicler of the reign of Henry VII of England, and Poet laureate. John Skelton, also known as John Shelton (c 1460 &ndash June 21, 1529) English Poet, was born at Diss in Norfolk Henry VIII (28 June 1491 &ndash 28 January 1547 was King of England and Lord of Ireland, later King of Ireland and claimant to the Kingdom of Edmund Spenser (c 1552 &ndash 13 January, 1599) was an important English Poet and Poet Laureate best known for The Samuel Daniel (1562 &ndash October 14, 1619) was an English poet and historian. Benjamin Jonson ( c 11 June 1572 &ndash 6 August 1637) was an English Renaissance Dramatist Sir William Davenant (baptised 3 March, 1606 &ndash April 7, 1668) also spelled D'Avenant, was an English Poet William Shakespeare ( baptised John Dryden (– was an influential English poet Literary critic, Translator and playwright who dominated the literary life of Restoration England Thomas Shadwell (c 1642 &ndash 19 November 1692) was an English Playwright and miscellaneous Writer who was appointed Nahum Tate (1652&ndash July 30, 1715) was an Irish Poet, Hymnist, and Lyricist, who became England's Poet laureate in 1692 Events Nicholas Rowe made British Poet Laureate Works published Alexander Pope, translator of Homer's Nicholas Rowe (1674 &ndash 1718 English Dramatist, poet and miscellaneous writer was appointed Poet Laureate in 1715 Events Laurence Euston made British Poet Laureate Works published Alexander Pope, translator Homer's Laurence Eusden ( 1688 - September 27, 1730) was an English Poet who became Poet Laureate in 1718 Events Colley Cibber made British Poet Laureate Works published Stephen Duck, Poems Colley Cibber (ˈkɒli ˈsɪbɚ (11 June 1671 &ndash 12 November 1757 was a British actor-manager playwright and Poet Laureate. Events William Whitehead made British Poet Laureate after Thomas Gray refuses it Thomas Warton appointed Professor of Poetry __FORCETOC__ William Whitehead, (baptized February 12, 1715 – April 14 1785) was an English Poet and Playwright Thomas Gray ( December 26, 1716 – July 30, 1771) was an English Poet, classical scholar and professor at Cambridge Events Reverend Thomas Warton becomes Poet Laureate after the refusal of William Mason Works published Thomas Warton ( January 9, 1728 &ndash May 21, 1790) was an English literary historian and critic as well as a Poet William Mason (1724 &ndash 1797 was an English Poet, editor and Gardener. Events Henry James Pye became Poet Laureate Works published William Blake - The Marriage of Henry James Pye ( February 20, 1745 &ndash August 11, 1813) was an English Poet. Events Robert Southey becomes Poet Laureate after Sir Walter Scott 's refusal April 20 &mdash Lord Byron Robert Southey ( August 12, 1774 &ndash March 21, 1843) was an English Poet of the Romantic school one Sir Walter Scott 1st Baronet (15 August 1771 &ndash 21 September 1832 was a prolific Scottish Historical novelist and Poet popular throughout Events William Wordsworth becomes Poet Laureate (UK Works published Thomas Hood 's The Song of Events Alfred Lord Tennyson becomes Poet Laureate Works published Sir Richard Burton, translator Alfred Tennyson 1st Baron Tennyson (6 August 1809 – 6 October 1892 was Poet Laureate of the United Kingdom and remains one of the most popular English poets For London as a whole see the main article London. The City of London is a geographically Events William Morris publishes the Kelmscott Press edition of Chaucer's works Awards Alfred Austin __FORCETOC__ Alfred Austin ( May 30, 1835 &ndash June 2 1913) was an English Poet, who was appointed Poet Laureate William Morris (24 March 1834 – 3 October 1896 was an English Architect, Furniture and Textile designer artist writer and socialist associated Events Harold Monro founds the Poetry Bookshop in London Ezra Pound travels to London to meet William Butler Yeats Robert Seymour Bridges, OM, ( 23 October 1844 &ndash 21 April 1930) was an Events Frost Medal inaugurated by the Poetry Society of America John Masefield becomes Poet Laureate John Edward Masefield, OM, ( 1 June 1878 &ndash 12 May 1967) was an English poet and writer and Poet Laureate The Order of Merit is a British and Commonwealth Order bestowed by the Monarch. Events Cecil Day-Lewis is selected as the new Poet Laureate of the UK Cecil Day-Lewis (or Day Lewis) CBE ( 27 April 1904 &ndash 22 May 1972) was an Irish -born Poet The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is a British Order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by King George V. Events John Betjeman becomes Poet Laureate The Belfast Group, a discussion group of poets in Northern Ireland went out Sir John Betjeman, CBE ( 28 August 1906 &ndash 19 May 1984 was an English poet writer and broadcaster who described himself in Who's Who The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is a British Order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by King George V. Events December 19 - Philip Larkin turns down the British Poet Laureateship and Ted Hughes becomes Poet Laureate Edward James Hughes OM ( 17 August 1930 &ndash 28 October 1998) was an English Poet and children's The Order of Merit is a British and Commonwealth Order bestowed by the Monarch. Philip Arthur Larkin, CH, CBE, FRSL (9 August 1922 – 2 December 1985 was an English Poet, Novelist and Jazz Events July 1 &mdash Scotland's Parliament opened with the singing of Robert Burns' "A Man's a Man For A'That" instead of "God Save Andrew Motion, FRSL, (born 26 October 1952) is an English Poet, Novelist and Biographer, who is the

Canada

The Canadian Parliamentary Poet Laureate is appointed as an officer of the Library of Parliament. The first ever Canadian Parliamentary Poet Laureate was awarded to George Bowering in 2002. The Library of Parliament is an information repository and research service for the Parliament of Canada, located at Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Candidates must be able to write in both English and French, must have a substantial publication history (including poetry) displaying literary excellence and must have written work reflecting Canada, among other criteria.

The first ever Canadian Parliamentary Poet Laureate was awarded to George Bowering in 2002. In 2004, the title was transferred to Pauline Michel and in 2006 to John Steffler. His term ends on December 3, 2008.

Scotland

The Scots Makar is the unpaid equivalent of a poet laureate to represent and promote poetry in Scotland. A makar is a term from Scottish literature for a Poet or Bard, often thought of as royal court poet although the term can be more generally Scotland ( Gaelic: Alba) is a Country in northwest Europethat occupies the northern third of the island of Great Britain. On 16 February 2004, Professor Edwin Morgan was named to the post. Events 1249 - Andrew of Longjumeau is dispatched by Louis IX of France as his ambassador to meet with the Khan of the Mongols "MMIV" redirects here For the Modest Mouse album see " Baron von Bullshit Rides Again " Edwin George Morgan OBE (born April 27, 1920) is a Scottish poet and translator who is associated with the Scottish Renaissance

U. S. A.

The United States Library of Congress has since 1937 appointed an official Consultant in Poetry to the Library of Congress. The Library of Congress is the De facto National library of the United States and the research arm of the United States Congress An Act of Congress changed the name of the position in 1985 to Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry to the Library of Congress. The Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry to the Library of Congress is appointed by the United States Librarian of Congress and earns a stipend of $35000 a year

As of 2007, the U. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. S. Poet Laureate is Charles Simic. Charles Simic (ˈtʃ​͡ɑːɻls ˈʂimitɕ​͡ born Dušan Simić, May 9, 1938 in Belgrade, Serbia) is a Serbian Previous U. S. Poets Laureate have included Rita Dove, Elizabeth Bishop, Robert Frost, Karl Shapiro, Robert Penn Warren, Joseph Brodsky, Stanley Kunitz, Robert Hass, Donald Hall, Robert Pinsky, Billy Collins, and Ted Kooser, among others. Rita Frances Dove (born August 28, 1952 in Akron, Ohio, USA is an American Poet and Author. Elizabeth Bishop ( February 8, 1911 &ndash October 6, 1979) was an American Poet and Writer from Worcester Robert Lee Frost (March 26 1874 &ndash January 29 1963 was an American Poet. Karl Jay Shapiro (b November 10 1913, Baltimore Maryland – d Robert Penn Warren (April 24 1905 &ndash September 15 1989 was an American poet Novelist, and literary critic and was one of the founders of New Criticism. Joseph Brodsky ( May 24, 1940 — January 28, 1996) born Iosif Aleksandrovich Brodsky (Иосиф Александрович Бродский Stanley Jasspon Kunitz /'kjunɪts/ ( July 29, 1905 – May 14, 2006) was an American Poet who served two years (1974&ndash1976 Robert L Hass (b March 1, 1941) is a Pulitzer Prize winning American poet Donald Hall (born September 20, 1928) is an American Poet and the 14th U Robert Pinsky (born October 20 1940) is an American Poet, Essayist, literary critic, and Translator. William A ("Billy" Collins (born March 22, 1941) is an American poet. Ted Kooser (b April 25, 1939, Ames Iowa) is an American Poet who was the thirteenth Poet Laureate of the United States The incumbent receives a stipend ($35,000), oversees an ongoing series of poetry readings and lectures at the library, and is given the vague mandate of promoting poetry, but has no other specific duties and they are not necessarily expected to compose works for recitation at government events or in praise of government officials.

Many U.S. states also have official Poets Laureate. A US state is any one of the fifty subnational entities of the United States of America that share Sovereignty with the federal government Many US states have posts occupied by prominent poets and entitled Poet Laureate of. The fashion has also spread to some cities. Most holders of the title reach eminence by public competition; some have also inspired controversy by what they do in office and, as in the case of Amiri Baraka, have sometimes been removed. Amiri Baraka (born October 7 1934 is an American Writer of Poetry, Drama, essays and Music criticism.

Wales

Wales has had a long tradition of poets and bards under royal patronage, with extant writing from mediæval royal poets and earlier. Mediaeval Welsh literature is the literature written in the Welsh language during the Middle Ages. An office of National Poet for Wales was established in April 2005. The post of National Poet of Wales was established in May 2005 by Yr Academi Gymreig – the Welsh National Literature Promotion Agency and Society for Writers The first holder, Gwyneth Lewis, was followed by Gwyn Thomas. Gwyneth Lewis BA MA DPhil (born 1959 in Cardiff) is a Welsh Poet, and was the first National Poet for Wales. Professor Gwyn Thomas (born 1936 in Tanygrisiau, Gwynedd) is a Welsh Poet, Academic and

Others

Kannadasan was the poet laureate of Tamil Nadu at the time of his death. Kannadasan (கண்ணதாசன் ( 24 June 1927 &ndash 17 October 1981) was a famous Tamil poet and Lyricist, who Tamil Nadu ( Tamil:, Country of the Tamils, t̪ɐmɨɻ n̪aːɽɯ is one of the 28 states of India.

William Auld is sometimes considered the poet laureate of Esperantujo. William Auld ( 6 November, 1924 - 11 September, 2006) was a Scottish author and the deputy director of a Grammar school. Esperantujo or Esperantio is a term (meaning "Esperantoland" used by speakers of the constructed international auxiliary language Esperanto

Hanns Johst was poet leaureate of Nazi Germany from 1935 to 1945. Hanns Johst ( July 8, 1890 – November 23, 1978) was a German playwright and Nazi Poet Laureate. Nazi Germany and the Third Reich are the common English names for Germany under the regime of Adolf Hitler and the National Socialist German Workers Year 1935 ( MCMXXXV) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Year 1945 ( MCMXLV) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar

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