American Poet Laureate Established
The American Poet Laureate is a distinguished position established on December 20, 1985, under President Ronald Reagan's administration. This role is officially recognized as the top poet in the United States and involves responsibilities primarily associated with the Library of Congress. The roots of this title trace back to a chair of poetry created in 1936, thanks to an endowment from Archer M. Huntington. The inaugural official poet laureate was Robert Penn Warren, who served from 1986 to 1987. Since then, the position has been held by a number of notable poets, including Richard Wilbur, Rita Dove, and Louise Glück, reflecting a wide spectrum of American poetic voices. The Poet Laureate's work often includes promoting poetry and engaging with the public to enhance appreciation for the literary arts. This position not only honors individual creativity but also embodies the rich cultural tapestry of American literature.
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American Poet Laureate Established
American Poet Laureate Established
On December 20, 1985, President Ronald Reagan signed Public Law 99-194, which officially established the position and title of American Poet Laureate. The poet so honored with essentially being designated the top poet in the United States performs some light duties for the Library of Congress.
The position of poet laureate has its roots in the chair of poetry established at the Library of Congress by virtue of an endowment from Archer M. Huntington in 1936. Some of the most prominent American poets in the 20th century have held this chair:
Joseph Auslander (1937–1941)
Allen Tate (1943–1944)
Robert Penn Warren (1944–1945)
Louise Bogan (1945–1946)
Karl Shapiro (1946–1947)
Robert Lowell (1947–1948)
Leonie Adams (1948–1949)
Elizabeth Bishop (1949–1950)
Conrad Aiken (1950–1952)
William Carlos Williams (chosen in 1952 but did not serve)
Randall Jarrell (1956–1958)
Robert Frost (1958–1959)
Richard Eberhart (1959–1961)
Louis Untermeyer (1961–1963)
Howard Nemerov (1963–1964)
Reed Whittemore (1964–1965)
Stephen Spender (1965–1966)
James Dickey (1966–1968)
William Jay Smith (1968–1970)
William Stafford (1970–1971)
Josephine Jacobsen (1971–1973)
Daniel Hoffman (1973–1974)
Stanley Kunitz (1974–1976)
Robert Hayden (1976–1978)
William Meredith (1978–1980)
Maxine Kumin (1981–1982)
Anthony Hecht (1982–1984)
Robert Fitzgerald (1984–1985, but suffered from health problems)
Reed Whittemore (1984–1985; Interim Consultant in Poetry)
Gwendolyn Brooks (1985–1986)
The first official poet laureate was Robert Penn Warren, appointed on February 26, 1986, and served until 1987. Warren's successors were:
Richard Wilbur (1987–1988)
Howard Nemerov (1988–1990)
Mark Strand (1990–1991)
Joseph Brodsky (1991–1992)
Mona Van Duyn (1992–1993)
Rita Dove (1993–1995)
Robert Hass (1995–1997)
Robert Pinsky (1997–2000)
Stanley Kunitz (2000–2001)
Billy Collins (2001–2003)
Louise Glück (2003–2004)
Ted Kooser (2004–2006)
Donald Hall (2006–2007)
Charles Simic (2007–2008)
Kay Ryan (2008–2010)
W. S. Merwin (2010–2011)
Philip Levine (2011–2012)
Natasha Trethewey (2012–2014)