Many of the states in the United States have established the post of

poet laureate A poet laureate (plural: poets laureate) 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 ...

to which a prominent poet residing in the respective state is appointed. The responsibilities of the state poets laureate are similar to those of the

Poet Laureate of the United Kingdom The British Poet Laureate is an honorary position appointed by the monarch of the United Kingdom, currently on the advice of the prime minister. The role does not entail any specific duties, but there is an expectation that the holder will writ ...

and the equivalent Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry to the Library of Congress in the United States, to make public appearances at

poetry reading A poetry reading is a public oral recitation or performance of poetry. Reading poetry aloud allows the reader to express their own experience through poetry, changing the poem according to their sensibilities. The reader uses pitch and stress, and ...

s or literary events, and to promote awareness of poetry within their geographical region. , 46 states and the

District of Columbia ) , image_skyline = , image_caption = Clockwise from top left: the Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial on the National Mall, United States Capitol, Logan Circle, Jefferson Memorial, White House, Adams Morgan, ...

have poets laureate, although a few are presently vacant. The terms can vary in length from state to state. Most states appoint a poet laureate for a one- or two-year term, fewer to several years, and some states appoint a poet to a lifetime tenure. Two states, New Jersey and Pennsylvania, previously had such posts but abolished them in 2003. Michigan had a single poet laureate from 1952–1959. There has never been an official State Poet Laureate in

Massachusetts Massachusetts (Massachusett: ''Muhsachuweesut Massachusett_writing_systems.html" ;"title="nowiki/> məhswatʃəwiːsət.html" ;"title="Massachusett writing systems">məhswatʃəwiːsət">Massachusett writing systems">məhswatʃəwiːsət'' En ...

. While

Idaho Idaho ( ) is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the Western United States. To the north, it shares a small portion of the Canada–United States border with the province of British Columbia. It borders the states of Montana and Wyomi ...

does not have a post of "poet laureate", ''per se'', the state appoints a "Writer in Residence", which can be held by a novelist or poet. Alaska has similarly expanded their program to include other genres of writing, calling the program the Alaska State Writer Laureate. The state of New York has both a State Poet and a State Author.

List of state poets laureate

The following lists of state poets laureate below are divided by state. The name of the current poet laureate is in bold.

Alabama

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

Samuel Minturn Peck Samuel Minturn Peck (November 4, 1854 – May 3, 1938) was an American poet, named first poet laureate of the state of Alabama. Biography Samuel Minturn Peck was born in Tuscaloosa, Alabama on November 4, 1854, the youngest of nine children ...

to Governor Bibb Graves. The state legislature approved a bill to create the office on March 5, 1931.Alabama Department of Archives and History
"Official Symbols and Emblems of Alabama: Poets Laureate of Alabama"
Retrieved 22 January 2014. After the death of Dr. Peck, the position was not filled and was revived in 1954 due to the efforts Mary B. Ward, the president of the Alabama Writer's Conclave, who became the state's second laureate. At present, a poet selected must have been an Alabama resident for at least 15 years prior to the appointment, and when commissioned by the governor, is appointed to serve one four-year term. Before 1983, neither the organization or the state statute provided for a specific term length. The Alabama Writers' Cooperative will recommend candidate who is elected by the organization's membership at its annual meeting. The governor subsequently commissions the candidate. A candidate for poet laureate need not be a member of the Alabama Writers' Cooperative to be nominated or selected.

Alaska

Originally created as the position of Poet Laureate in 1963 (House Resolution 25). The official name was changed in 1996 to recognize and honor all genres of writing. The position is selected by the Alaska State Council on the Arts. Poets laureate of Alaska include:Library of Congress
U.S. State Poets Laureate: Alaska
Retrieved 1 August 2022. *

Margaret Mielke Margaret is a female first name, derived via French () and Latin () from grc, μαργαρίτης () meaning "pearl". The Greek is borrowed from Persian. Margaret has been an English name since the 11th century, and remained popular through ...

(1963-1965) *

Oliver Everette Oliver may refer to: Arts, entertainment and literature Books * ''Oliver the Western Engine'', volume 24 in ''The Railway Series'' by Rev. W. Awdry * ''Oliver Twist'', a novel by Charles Dickens Fictional characters * Ariadne Oliver, ...

(1965-1967) * John Haines (1969) *

Ruben Gaines Reuben or Reuven is a Biblical male first name from Hebrew רְאוּבֵן (Re'uven), meaning "behold, a son". In the Bible, Reuben was the firstborn son of Jacob. Variants include Rúben in European Portuguese; Rubens in Brazilian Portugue ...

(1973) *

Sheila Nickerson Sheila Bunker Nickerson (born 1942) is an American poet and writer. She served as poet laureate of Alaska and was twice awarded the Pushcart Prize. Much of her writing focuses on Alaska, nature, and arctic exploration. Life and education Nickerson ...

(1977) * Richard Dauenhauer (1981) *

Joanne Townsend Joanne may refer to: Music * ''Joanne'' (album), 2016 album by Lady Gaga ** "Joanne" (Lady Gaga song), a 2016 song from the album ''Joanne'' * "Joanne" (Michael Nesmith song), a 1970 song from the album ''Magnetic South'' * "Joanne", a song by C ...

(1988) * Tom Sexton (1995) * Richard Nelson (2000) * Anne Hanley (2002-2004) * Jerah Chadwick (2004-2006) * John Straley (2006-2008) *

Nancy Lord Nancy Theresa Lord (February 8, 1952 – February 14, 2022) was an American attorney and medical researcher who was the vice-presidential candidate of the Libertarian Party in the 1992 presidential election, as the running-mate of Andre Marrou. ...

(2008-2010) * Peggy Shumaker (2010-2012) * Nora Marks Dauenhauer (2012-2014) *

Frank Soos Frank Soos (1950 – August 18, 2021) was an American short story writer. Life Soos grew up in Pocahontas, Virginia. He graduated from Davidson College in 1972 and the University of Arkansas. He taught at University of Alaska Fairbanks. His wor ...

(2014-2016) * Ernestine Hayes (2016-2018)

Arizona

The state of

Arizona Arizona ( ; nv, Hoozdo Hahoodzo ; ood, Alĭ ṣonak ) is a state in the Southwestern United States. It is the 6th largest and the 14th most populous of the 50 states. Its capital and largest city is Phoenix. Arizona is part of the Fou ...

established a state Poet Laureate position in 2013, appointing

Alberto Ríos Alberto Álvaro Ríos (born September 18, 1952) is a US academic and writer who is the author of ten books and chapbooks of poetry, three collections of short stories, and a memoir. Rios was named Arizona's first state poet laureate in August 20 ...

as the inaugural Poet Laureate.

Arkansas

Charles T. Davis was the first until his death on December 21, 1945. The position was vacant from 1946 until 1953, when Rosa Zagnoni Marinoni was appointed. Upon Marinoni’s death in 1970, Governor Winthrop Rockefeller named Ercil Brown interim laureate. When legislature reconvened, three candidates had emerged: Anna Nash Yarborough, Lily Peter, and Brown. The legislature declined to decide and instead in 1971 passed Act 90, which assigned the responsibility to the governor. Governor Dale Bumpers announced Lily Peter’s appointment on October 6, 1971. Following Peter’s death, Verna Lee Hinegardner was appointed by Governor Bill Clinton on October 4, 1991, serving until 2003. In 2003, Governor Mike Huckabee appointed

Peggy Vining Peggy Sue Vining (March 4, 1929 – November 26, 2017; née Peggy Sue Caudle) was the sixth poet laureate of the American state of Arkansas since her appointment to the position by Governor Mike Huckabee Michael Dale Huckabee (born August 24, ...

. Before this time, the poet laureateship had been considered a life appointment and publicity ensued but in the end the appointment stood. Peggy Vining served as Poet Laureate from 2003 until her death in 2017. The Legislature changed the term for Arkansas Poet Laureate during 2017 to 4 years. The current Poet Laureate of Arkansas is Jo McDougall of Little Rock, Arkansas. The current Poet Laureate of Arkansas is Suzanne Underwood Rhodes, who was appointed to a four-year term in 2022. Poets laureate of Arkansas: * Charles T. Davis (1923-1945) * Rosa Zagnoni Marinoni (1953-1970) * Ercil Brown (interim appointee, 1970-1971) * Lily Peter (1971-1991) * Verna Lee Hinegardner (1991-2003) *

(2003-2017) * Jo Garret McDougall (2018-2022) * Suzanne Underwood Rhodes (2022-present)

California

The position is currently vacant. It was last held by

Dana Gioia Michael Dana Gioia (; born December 24, 1950) is an American poet, literary critic, literary translator, and essayist. Since the early 1980s, Gioia has been considered part of the literary movements within American poetry known as New Forma ...

from 2015 to 2018.

Colorado

Colorado Poets Laureate are appointed to four-year terms. They are nominated by Colorado Creative Industries and Colorado Humanities & Center for the Book, and chosen by the Governor. The State of

Colorado Colorado (, other variants) is a state in the Mountain states, Mountain West subregion of the Western United States. It encompasses most of the Southern Rocky Mountains, as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the wes ...

also appointed singer/songwriter writer John Denver in 1974. The following have held the position: * Alice Polk Hill (1919-1921) * Nellie Burget Miller (1923-1952) * Margaret Clyde Robinson (1952-1954) * Milford E. Shields (1954-1975) * Thomas Hornsby Ferril (1979-1988) *

Mary Crow Mary Crow is an American poet, translator, and professor who served as the poet laureate of Colorado for 14 years. She is the author of three collections of poetry, three chapbooks and five translations. She has been awarded many honors and prizes ...

(1996-2010) * David Mason (2010-2014) * Joseph Hutchison (2014-2019) *

Bobby LeFebre Bobby LeFebre (born 1982) is a poet, performer, and cultural worker. He is the current poet laureate for the state of Colorado. He is the state's youngest and first poet laureate of color. Biography LeFebre is a native of Denver and attended Nor ...

(2019-present)

Connecticut

The Poet Laureate of Connecticut was established in 1985 by Public Act 85-221 of the

Connecticut General Assembly The Connecticut General Assembly (CGA) is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Connecticut. It is a bicameral body composed of the 151-member House of Representatives and the 36-member Senate. It meets in the state capital, Hartford. Th ...

. Five-year residents of the state with a demonstrated career in poetry are eligible for the honorary appointment as an advocate for poetry and literary arts. The following have held the position: * James Merill (1985–1995) *

Leo Connellan Leo Connellan (November 30, 1928 – February 22, 2001) was an American poet of the Beat Generation born in Portland, Maine, who served as Connecticut's Poet Laureate from 1996 until his death in 2001. Life Leo Connellan grew up in Rockla ...

(1996–2001) *

Marilyn Nelson Marilyn Nelson (born April 26, 1946) is an American poet, translator, and children's book author. She is a professor emeritus at the University of Connecticut, and the former poet laureate of Connecticut, She is a winner of the Ruth Lilly Poetr ...

(2001–2007) *

John Hollander John Hollander (October 28, 1929 – August 17, 2013) was an American poet and literary critic. At the time of his death, he was Sterling Professor Emeritus of English at Yale University, having previously taught at Connecticut College, Hunter ...

(2007–2009) *

Dick Allen Richard Anthony Allen (March 8, 1942 – December 7, 2020) was an American professional baseball player. During his fifteen-year-long Major League Baseball (MLB) career, he played as a first baseman, third baseman, and outfielder, most notably ...

(2010–2015) * Rennie McQuilkin (2015–2018) * Margaret Gibson (2019–2022) * Antoinette Brim-Bell (2022 - 2025)

Delaware

Poets are appointed to the position by the governor. Nnamdi Chukwuocha and Albert Mills—twin brothers who are known as the "Twin Poets"—are the current Poets Laureates of Delaware. They were appointed on December 13, 2015. According to the

Library of Congress The Library of Congress (LOC) is the research library that officially serves the United States Congress and is the ''de facto'' national library of the United States. It is the oldest federal cultural institution in the country. The library ...

, they are the first co-laureates appointed by a state and the first siblings to share the position. The following have held the position: * Edna Deemer Leach (1947-1949) * Jeannette Slocum Edwards (1950-1953) * Frances Shannon Flowers (McNeal) (1954) * Katherine King Johnson (1955) * David Hudson (1956-1960) * Alison Kimball Bradford (1961) * Margaret Eleanor Weaver (1962) * Mother Aloysius Peach (1963-1964) * Dr. Percival R. Roberts, III (1965-1966) * Joyce Carlson (1967-1968) * Antonia Bissell Laird (1969-1970) * Dr. Harry O. Eisenberg (1971) * David Hudson (1975-1976) * E. Jean Lanyon (1979-1981) * Dr. Fleda Brown (2001-2007) * Dr. JoAnn Balingit (2008-2015) * Nnamdi Chukwuocha and Albert Mills (2019-present)

District of Columbia

The United States' capital, the

, created the position of Poet Laureate of the District of Columbia in 1984 during the mayoralty of

Marion Barry Marion Shepilov Barry (born Marion Barry Jr.; March 6, 1936 – November 23, 2014) was an American politician who served as the second and fourth mayor of the District of Columbia from 1979 to 1991 and 1995 to 1999. A Democrat, Barry had served ...

.DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities
"History of the Office of the Poet Laureate"
Retrieved 22 January 2014. The position is filled by appointment from the mayor of the district the

DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities The D.C. Commission on the Arts and Humanities (CAH) is an agency of the District of Columbia government. As of October 2022, the Interim Executive Director is David Markey. CAH was created as an outgrowth of the U.S. Congress Act that established ...

. The District of Columbia's poet laureate program is currently stalled. Only two poets laureate have been appointed since the creation of the position.

Sterling Allen Brown Sterling Allen Brown (May 1, 1901 – January 13, 1989) was an American professor, folklorist, poet, and literary critic. He chiefly studied black culture of the Southern United States and was a professor at Howard University for most of his caree ...

was appointed by Mayor

, serving from 1984 until his death in 1989.

Dolores Kendrick Dolores Kendrick (September 7, 1927 – November 7, 2017) was an American poet, and served as the second Poet Laureate of the District of Columbia. Her book ''The Women of Plums: Poems in the Voices of Slave Women'' won the Anisfield-Wolf Award. ...

was appointed by Mayor Anthony A. Williams, serving from 1999 until her death in 2017.

Florida

Poets Laureate of Florida are appointed by the governor and the Division of Arts and Culture. They first served lifetime, unpaid appointments, until June 20, 2014, when HB 513 established a four-year term. The first poet laureate of Florida was

Franklin L. Wood Franklin may refer to: People * Franklin (given name) * Franklin (surname) * Franklin (class), a member of a historical English social class Places Australia * Franklin, Tasmania, a township * Division of Franklin, federal electoral divi ...

, appointed in 1929 and died soon after assuming office. Vivian Laramore Rader was appointed in 1931 and served until her death in 1975.

Edmund Skellings Edmund Skellings (March 12, 1932 – August 19, 2012) was an American poet. He was the Poet Laureate of Florida from 1980 to 2012, and was succeeded by Peter Meinke. Biography Edmund Skellings was born in 1932 in Ludlow, Massachusetts. He att ...

was appointed in 1980. A stroke that impaired his speech and limited his ability to do all of his official duties. He died August 19, 2012, leaving the post vacant.Florida needs a poet laureate but with term limits this time
October 24, 2013 Time

Peter Meinke Peter Meinke (born 1932 in Brooklyn, New York) is an American poet and author. He has published 18 books of poems and short stories. ''The Piano Tuner'', won the 1986 Flannery O'Connor Award for Short Fiction. His poetry has received many awards, ...

currently holds this position and was appointed on June 15, 2015.

Georgia

The current poet laureate of Georgia is Chelsea Rathburn, appointed in 2019.

Hawaii

Prior to statehood

Don Blanding Donald Benson Blanding (November 7, 1894—June 9, 1957) was an American poet, sometimes described as the "poet laureate of Hawaii." He was also a journalist, cartoonist, author and speaker. Early life Blanding was born in Kingfisher, Oklahoma ...

, originally from Oklahoma, was unofficially referred to as the poet laureate of Hawaii. In 1951 Hawaii Territoral Senator Thelma Akana Harrison in concurrent resolution 28, declared Lloyd Stone, who was originally from California, poet laureate. When the modern program was established, Native Hawaiian Kealoha was appointed on on May 3, 2012 by Governor

Neil Abercrombie Neil Abercrombie (born June 26, 1938) is an American politician who served as the seventh governor of Hawaii from 2010 to 2014. He is a member of the Democratic Party. Born in Buffalo, New York, Abercrombie is a graduate of Union College and th ...

., and he is the first poet laureate for the state of Hawaii, serving through 2022.

Idaho

Irene Welch Grissom served from 1923 to 1948 as Idaho's first poet laureate. Sudie Stuart Hager served as the second poet laureate from 1949 to 1982. After 1982 the title was changed to Writer in Residence.

Illinois

The state's first three Poets Laureate were named at the initiative of individual governors and served for life. In 2003 the title was made into a four-year renewable award. Those who have served in the position include: * Howard Austin (January 14, 1936-April 1, 1962) *

Carl Sandburg Carl August Sandburg (January 6, 1878 – July 22, 1967) was an American poet, biographer, journalist, and editor. He won three Pulitzer Prizes: two for his poetry and one for his biography of Abraham Lincoln. During his lifetime, Sandburg ...

(February 28, 1962-July 22, 1967) * Gwendolyn Brooks (January 3, 1968-December 4, 2000) *

Kevin Stein Kevin Stein (born January 1, 1954, in Anderson, Indiana) is a poet and professor of English at the Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois. The fourth poet laureate of the State of Illinois Illinois ( ) is a state in the Midwestern Uni ...

(December 11, 2003-December 1, 2017) *

Angela Jackson Angela Jackson (born July 25, 1951) is an American poet, playwright, and novelist based in Chicago, Illinois. Jackson became the Illinois Poet Laureate in 2020. Biography Angela Jackson was born in Greenville, Mississippi, the fifth of nine c ...

(2020-Present) Illinois' governor posthumously named songwriter

John Prine John Edward Prine (; October 10, 1946 – April 7, 2020) was an American singer-songwriter of country-folk music. He was active as a composer, recording artist, live performer, and occasional actor from the early 1970s until his death. He ...

honorary poet laureate in 2021.

Indiana

Indiana has the unique situation of having two posts: an official "state poet laureate", created in 2005, that is occupied by Matthew Graham, and the unofficial post of "premier poet" created in 1929 occupied by Sarah E. Morin.

Iowa

The position was created July 1, 1999 by Subchapter 303.89 of the Iowa Code with a two-year renewable term.

Marvin Bell Marvin Hartley Bell (August 3, 1937 – December 14, 2020) was an American poet and teacher who was the first Poet Laureate of the state of Iowa. Biography Bell was raised in Center Moriches, Long Island. He served in the U.S. Army from 196 ...

was Iowa's first Poet Laureate, from 2000 to 2004, followed by Robert Dana from 2004 to 2008, and

Mary Swander Mary Swander (born November 5, 1950) is an American author of Irish heritage. She holds dual citizenship in Ireland and the United States. Born in Carroll, Iowa, her ancestors immigrated to the United States during their homeland's Great Famine (I ...

from 2009 to 2019.

Debra Marquart Debra Marquart is an American poet and musician from the small town of Napoleon, North Dakota. Since 1992 she has been performing as singer-songwriter with the band The Bone People. After graduating with master's degrees from Moorhead State Uni ...

is the current Poet Laureate of Iowa. Her two year term started in May 2019.

Kansas

The current poet laureate of Kansas is Huascar Medina, serving from 2019 to 2021. Predecessors include Jonathan Holden,

Denise Low Denise Low (born 1949) is an American poet, honored as the second Kansas poet laureate (2007–2009). A professor at Haskell Indian Nations University, Low taught literature, creative writing and American Indian studies courses at the university. ...

Eric McHenry Eric McHenry (born April 12, 1972 Topeka, Kansas) is an American poet. He was the Poet Laureate of Kansas from 2015-2017. Life McHenry graduated from Topeka High School. He graduated from Beloit College and from Boston University. In April 2015 h ...

, Caryn Mirriam-Goldberg, and Wyatt Townley.

Kentucky

From the creation of the poet laureate position in 1926 until 1990, the state legislature appointed poets to lifetime terms as poets laureate.Kentucky Arts Council
"Kentucky Poet Laureate History"
Retrieved 22 January 2014. Several poets held the position at the same time. Since 1990, Kentucky state law provides for the appointment of a poet laureate or writer laureate to one two-year term selected by the governor.Commonwealth of Kentucky
153.600 Appointment of Kentucky state poet laureate or writer laureate.
Kentucky Revised Statutes. (1990 Ky. Acts ch.65, sec.1, effective July 13, 1990). Retrieved 22 January 2014. The statute, Kentucky Revised Statutes Section 153.600 provides for two duties: (1) "Make a presentation on Kentucky Writers' Day" and (2) "Act as a writing consultant to the State Department of Education and Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives". The position comes without salary, although the laureate "may be reimbursed for expenses". According to the

Kentucky Arts Council The Kentucky Arts Council, established in 1966, is the Kentucky state arts agency, and is responsible for developing and promoting support for the arts in Kentucky. Part of the Kentucky Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet, the Kentucky Arts Council ...

, the Kentucky poet laureate is charged with "promoting the literary arts and leading the state in literary activities, including Kentucky Writers’ Day"—a holiday held on 24 April "to commemorate the birthday of Kentuckian Robert Penn Warren, the first poet laureate of the United States". The poet laureate is inducted on this date at the Writers' Day festivities every other year.

Louisiana

The current poet laureate of Louisiana is Mona Lisa Saloy appointed in April 2021. Predecessors include Ava Leavell Haymon,

Julie Kane :''Disambiguation: for the character voiced by Kate Micucci see Motorcity#Protagonists.'' Julie Kane (born July 20, 1952 in Boston) is a contemporary American poet, scholar, and editor and was the Louisiana Poet Laureate for the 2011–2013 ter ...

Peter Cooley Peter Cooley (born November 19, 1940) is an American poet and Professor of English in the Department of English at Tulane University. He also directs Tulane's Creative Writing Program. Born in Detroit, Michigan, he holds degrees from Shimer Colle ...

, and John Warner Smith.

Maine

The current poet laureate of Maine is Julia Bouwsna. Predecessors include Wesley McNair,

Baron Wormser Baron Wormser (born 1948, in Baltimore, Maryland) is an American poet. Biography Baron Wormser was born in Baltimore on February 15, 1948. He earned his BA from Johns Hopkins University, later doing graduate studies at the University of Califor ...

, and Betsy Sholl.

Maryland

The current poet laureate of Maryland is

Grace Cavalieri Grace Cavalieri is an American poet, playwright, and radio host of the Library of Congress program '' The Poet and the Poem''. In 2019, she was appointed the tenth Poet Laureate of Maryland. Education * BS - Education: English and History, The ...

, appointed in 2018.

Massachusetts

Massachusetts has never had an official poet laureate.

Michigan

Edgar A. Guest was the first and only Michigan Poet Laureate, a title he held from 1952 until his death in 1959.

Minnesota

Mississippi

The current poet laureate of Mississippi is Catherine Pierce.

Missouri

Missouri's poet laureate was established by an executive order from the governor. The order outlined a post with a two-year term, to be filled by "a published poet, a resident of Missouri, be active in the poetry community, and be willing and able to promote poetry in the state of Missouri".Office of Missouri Governor Jay Nixon
"Executive Order 09-28"
24 December 2009. According to Order 09-28, it supersedes Executive Order 08-01. The order requires that the appointee "promote the arts in Missouri by making public appearances at public libraries and schools across the state" and "compose an original poem in honor of Missouri" Missouri's poet laureate serves without compensation.Office of Missouri Governor Jay Nixon
"Gov. Nixon appoints David Clewell Poet Laureate of Missouri"
(press release), 3 March 2010. Retrieved 22 January 2014.

Montana

The current poet laureate of Montana is Mark Gibbons, appointed in August 2021. Predecessors include

Sheryl Noethe Sheryl Noethe is an American poet and served as Montana's poet laureate from 2011 to 2013. Biography Born in Minnesota "into a family that didn't read books", Noethe discovered writing through a collection of Dorothy Parker's short stories and r ...

and Henry Real Bird.

Nebraska

The current

Nebraska Nebraska () is a state in the Midwestern region of the United States. It is bordered by South Dakota to the north; Iowa to the east and Missouri to the southeast, both across the Missouri River; Kansas to the south; Colorado to the sout ...

State Poet is Matt Mason, serving 2019-2023. Twyla Hansen served from 2013-2018, following

William Kloefkorn William Charles "Bill" Kloefkorn (August 12, 1932 – May 19, 2011), was a Nebraska poet and educator based in Lincoln, Nebraska. He was the author of twelve collections of poetry, two short story collections, a collection of children's Christmas ...

who was the first Nebraskan to be given the title "Nebraska State Poet," which he held from 1982-2011. John Neihardt, who was appointed Nebraska poet laureate in 1921, retains the title of Poet Laureate of Nebraska "in perpetuity".

Nevada

This post is currently vacant. Mildred Breedlove (1904–1994) was named poet laureate in 1957, but disputed with officials over a commissioned work. Norman Kaye, a songwriter, was appointed in the 1960s although he had (and has) not published any poetry. He was named "laureate emeritus" in 2007 but no replacement was announced.

New Hampshire

The current poet laureate of New Hampshire is Alexandria Peary, appointed October 2019. Predecessors include W. E. Butts,

Richard Eberhart Richard Ghormley Eberhart (April 5, 1904 – June 9, 2005) was an American poet who published more than a dozen books of poetry and approximately twenty works in total. "Richard Eberhart emerged out of the 1930s as a modern stylist with romanti ...

, Patricia Fargnoli,

Cynthia Huntington Cynthia Huntington is an American poet, memoirist and a professor of English and Creative Writing at Dartmouth College. In 2004 she was named Poet Laureate of New Hampshire. Life and career Huntington has published numerous books of poetry, incl ...

, and

Jane Kenyon Jane Kenyon (May 23, 1947 – April 22, 1995) was an American poet and translator. Her work is often characterized as simple, spare, and emotionally resonant. Kenyon was the second wife of poet, editor, and critic Donald Hall who made her the subj ...

New Jersey

New Jersey no longer has a poet laureate position. It existed for less than four years and was abolished by the legislature effective 2 July 2003. The state legislature created in 1999 the post as part of a biennial award called the ''New Jersey William Carlos Williams Citation of Merit''.State of New Jersey
P.L. 1999, c. 228 "An Act establishing the New Jersey William Carlos Williams Citation of Merit, supplementing Title 52 of the Revised Statutes and making an appropriation"
(1999). Retrieved 25 December 2013. The 1999 act, codified as N.J.S.A. 52:16A-26.9, provided for a panel of four poets from New Jersey selected by the

New Jersey State Council on the Arts The New Jersey State Council on the Arts was founded in 1966 to support artistic activities in the state of New Jersey. It is funded by the New Jersey State Legislature and the National Endowment for the Arts The National Endowment for the Art ...

the

New Jersey Council for the Humanities New is an adjective referring to something recently made, discovered, or created. New or NEW may refer to: Music * New, singer of K-pop group The Boyz Albums and EPs * ''New'' (album), by Paul McCartney, 2013 * ''New'' (EP), by Regurgitator, ...

would convene to select candidates for the position for the consideration of the state's governor. An incumbent poet laureate would be the fifth member of the panel that selected his successor. The governor alone would appoint the poet laureate by presenting him or her with the ''New Jersey William Carlos Williams Citation of Merit''. The poet laureate, serving for a two-year term, was expected to "engage in activities to promote and encourage poetry within the State" and "give no fewer than two public readings within the State each year". The state legislature and governor abolished the post after the second poet laureate, Amiri Baraka incited a public controversy soon after his appointment with a public reading of his poem "Somebody Blew Up America"Baraka, Amiri (a.k.a. LeRoi Jones). ''Somebody Blew up America and Other Poems''. (Philipsburg, St. Martin, DWI: House of Nehesi), 2003.Pearce, Jeremy
"When Poetry Seems to Matter"
''The New York Times'', 9 February 2003. Retrieved 25 December 2013. The poem was controversial and met with harsh criticism by literary critics, politicians, and the public. The poem was highly critical of

racism Racism is the belief that groups of humans possess different behavioral traits corresponding to inherited attributes and can be divided based on the superiority of one race over another. It may also mean prejudice, discrimination, or antagonis ...

in America, includes angry depictions of public figures, claimed Israel was involved in the World Trade Center attacks, and supported the theory that the United States government knew about the 9/11 attacks in advance. Critics accused Baraka of racism and anti-Semitism. Baraka refused to resign, and because the statute did not allow the governor to remove him from the post, the state legislature and governor enacted legislation to abolish the position on 2 July 2003.New Jersey State Legislature
"An Act concerning the State poet laureate and repealing P.L.1999, c.228".
from ''Laws of the State of New Jersey'' (P.L.2003, c.123). Approved 2 July 2003. Retrieved 26 June 2013.

New Mexico

New Mexico appointed its first poet laureate, Levi Romero in 2020.

New York

The position of New York State Poet Laureate (official title: State Poet) was established by a special mandate of the New York State Legislature on August 1, 1985. Willie Perdomo is the current New York state poet laureate. In 1988 New York also established position for other genres of writing entitled New York State Author. In 2016 Governor Cuomo also named

Joseph Tusiani Joseph is a common male given name, derived from the Hebrew Yosef (יוֹסֵף). "Joseph" is used, along with "Josef", mostly in English, French and partially German languages. This spelling is also found as a variant in the languages of the mo ...

Poet Laureate Emeritus. Those who have held the position include: *

Stanley Kunitz Stanley Jasspon Kunitz (; July 29, 1905May 14, 2006) was an American poet. He was appointed Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry to the Library of Congress twice, first in 1974 and then again in 2000. Biography Kunitz was born in Worcester, Massach ...

(1987-1989) *

Robert Creeley Robert White Creeley (May 21, 1926 – March 30, 2005) was an American poet and author of more than sixty books. He is usually associated with the Black Mountain poets, though his verse aesthetic diverged from that school. He was close with Char ...

(1989-1991) *

Audre Lorde Audre Lorde (; born Audrey Geraldine Lorde; February 18, 1934 – November 17, 1992) was an American writer, womanist, radical feminist, professor, and civil rights activist. She was a self-described "black, lesbian, mother, warrior, poet," wh ...

(1991-1993) *

Richard Howard Richard Joseph Howard (October 13, 1929 – March 31, 2022; adopted as Richard Joseph Orwitz) was an American poet, literary critic, essayist, teacher, and translator. He was born in Cleveland, Ohio, and was a graduate of Columbia University, w ...

(1993-1995) *

Jane Cooper Jane Cooper (October 9, 1924 – October 26, 2007) was an American poet. Awards * Award in Literature from the American Academy of Arts and Letters * Maurice English Poetry Award (1985) * Shelley Memorial Award (1977) * Bunting Institute of Radc ...

(1995-1997) *

Sharon Olds Sharon Olds (born November 12, 1942) is an American poet. Olds won the first San Francisco Poetry Center Award in 1980, the 1984 National Book Critics Circle Award, and the 2013 Pulitzer Prize in Poetry.

(1998-2000) * John Ashbery (2001-2003) *

Billy Collins William James Collins (born March 22, 1941) is an American poet, appointed as Poet Laureate of the United States from 2001 to 2003. He is a Distinguished Professor at Lehman College of the City University of New York (retired, 2016). Collins ...

(2004-2006) *

Jean Valentine __NOTOC__ Jean Valentine (April 27, 1934December 29, 2020) was an American poet and the New York State Poet Laureate from 2008 to 2010. Her poetry collection, ''Door in the Mountain: New and Collected Poems, 1965–2003'', was awarded the 2004 N ...

(2008-2010) *

Marie Howe Marie may refer to: People Name * Marie (given name) * Marie (Japanese given name) * Marie (murder victim), girl who was killed in Florida after being pushed in front of a moving vehicle in 1973 * Marie (died 1759), an enslaved Cree person in Tr ...

(2012-2014) *

Yusef Komunyakaa Yusef Komunyakaa (born James William Brown; April 29, 1941) is an American poet who teaches at New York University and is a member of the Fellowship of Southern Writers. Komunyakaa is a recipient of the 1994 Kingsley Tufts Poetry Award, for ''Ne ...

(2015-2017) *

Alicia Ostriker Alicia Suskin Ostriker (born November 11, 1937) is an American poet and scholar who writes Jewish feminist poetry.Powell C.S. (1994) ''Profile: Jeremiah and Alicia Ostriker – A Marriage of Science and Art'', Scientific American 271(3), 28-3 ...

(2018-2021) *

Willie Perdomo Willie Perdomo is a Puerto Rican poet and children's book author. He is the author of ''The Essential Hits of Shorty Bon Bon'' (Penguin Poets, 2014), a National Book Critics Circle Awards finalist, ''Where a Nickel Costs a Dime'' ( W. W. Norto ...

(2020-present)

North Carolina

The current poet laureate of North Carolina is Jaki Shelton Green; first appointed in 2018.

North Dakota

The position of poet laureate of North Dakota is currently vacant. It was previously occupied by

Larry Woiwode Larry Alfred Woiwode (October 30, 1941April 28, 2022) was an American writer from North Dakota, where he was the state's Poet Laureate from 1995 until his death. His work appeared in ''The New Yorker'', '' Esquire'', ''The Atlantic Monthly'', '' ...

, who was appointed in 1995 and served until his death in 2022.

Ohio

In 2014, Ohio enacted law creating the position of Ohio poet laureate starting July 1, 2016. The

Ohio Arts Council The Ohio Arts Council (OAC) is an agency serving the U.S. state of Ohio. History Established in 1965, its mission is to "foster and encourage the development of the arts and assist the preservation of Ohio's cultural heritage." Each year it awar ...

provides a list of candidates to the governor for selection to serve a two-year term, with the possibility of reappointment. The current Ohio Poet Laureate is Kari Gunter-Seymour, appointed to a term beginning June 10, 2020. She was subsequently reappointed to a two-year term beginning January 1, 2022. Previous Ohio Poets Laureate are Amit Majmudar (2016-2017) and Dave Lucas (2018-2019).

Oklahoma

Oklahoma has appointed poets laureate since 1923. Joe Kreger who first served from 1998 to 2001 has received a second term as Oklahoma's poet laureate from 2021 to 2022.

Oregon

The current poet laureate of Oregon is

Anis Mojgani Anis Mojgani ( Persian: انیس مژگانی) (born June 13, 1977) is an American spoken word poet, visual artist and musician based in Portland, Oregon. Mojgani has been characterized as a "geek genius" with "fiercely hopeful word arias." Ea ...

, appointed in 2020 by Governor Kate Brown.

Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania appointed one poet,

Samuel John Hazo Samuel John Hazo (born 19 July 1928) is a poet, playwright, fiction novelist, and the founder and director of the International Poetry Forum in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He is also McAnulty Distinguished Professor of English Emeritus at Duquesne ...

, in 1993. He held the position for ten years before it was eliminated.

Rhode Island

The State Poet of Rhode Island, established in 1987, is codified in Chapter 42-100 of the State of Rhode Island General Laws. The five-year appointment by the Governor carries an annual salary of $1,000. The following have held the position: *

Michael S. Harper Michael Steven Harper (March 18, 1938 – May 7, 2016) was an American poet and English professor at Brown University, who was the Poet Laureate of Rhode Island from 1988 to 1993. His poetry was influenced by jazz and history. Among the infl ...

(1988–1993) * C.D. Wright (1994–1999) * Tom Chandler (2000–2007) * Lisa Starr (2007–2012) * Rick Benjamin (2013–2016) *

Tina Cane Tina Cane is an American poet and activist in Rhode Island. She is currently the Poet Laureate of Rhode Island; she was appointed in 2016 for a five-year term. Early life Cane was born in Hell's Kitchen, New York City, New York. She earned a bac ...

(2016– )

South Carolina

The sixth poet laureate of South Carolina, generally a lifetime position, is Marjory Heath Wentworth was appointed in 2003 by Governor

Mark Sanford Marshall Clement "Mark" Sanford Jr. (born May 28, 1960) is an American politician and author who served as the U.S. Representative for South Carolina's 1st congressional district from 1995 to 2001 and again from 2013 to 2019, and also as the ...

pursuant to SC Code, Sec. 1-3-230 She resigned in 2020.

South Dakota

The first poet laureate was appointed in 1937, and a permanent office of poet laureate of South Dakota was created by legislation in 1959. The Governor has the authority to appoint a candidate who has received a recommendation from the

South Dakota State Poetry Society The South Dakota State Poetry Society (SDSPS) is a non-profit state-level poetry association in the U.S. state of South Dakota, affiliated with the National Federation of State Poetry Societies (NFSPS). The organization promotes poetry, conducts s ...

. The appointment was indefinite, "during the pleasure of the Governor", until 2015, when the term was set at four years. Past appointees have lifetime '' emeritus'' status. The following have held the position: * Charles "Badger" Clark (1937–1957) * Audrae Visser (1974-October 2001) * David Allan Evans (2002–2014, retired) * Lee Ann Roripaugh (2015–2019) * Christine Stewart-Nunez (2019–2023)

Tennessee

The 87th Tennessee General Assembly appointed Richard M. "Pek" Gunn as first poet laureate for life in it 1971–1972 session. He died in 1995. The current poet laureate of Tennessee is Margaret Britton Vaughn was appointed in 1999.

Texas

The current poet laureate of Texas is Lupe Mendez, appointed in 2021.

Utah

The Utah State Poet Laureate Program was established in 1997. As a joint project of the Governor's Office and the Utah Arts Council Literature Program, the Governor appoints the Utah Poet Laureate for a five-year term. Previous poets laureate: * David Lee (1997–2003) *

Ken Brewer Kenneth Wayne Brewer (November 28, 1941 – March 15, 2006) was an American poet and longtime scholar who resided in Utah, where he served as Poet Laureate. Born in Indianapolis, Indiana, he attended Butler University and Western New Mexico U ...

(2003–2006) *

Katharine Coles Katharine Coles is an American poet and educator. She served from 2006 to 2012 as Utah's third poet laureate and currently serves as the inaugural director of the Harriet Monroe Poetry Institute and the co-director of the Utah Symposium in Sci ...

(2006–2012) * Lance Larsen (2012 – 2017) * Paisley Rekdal (2017–2022) * Lisa Bickmore (2022-present)

Vermont

Robert Frost was the first poet named as Laureate by Joint House Resolution 54 of the

Vermont General Assembly The Vermont General Assembly is the legislative body of the state of Vermont, in the United States. The Legislature is formally known as the "General Assembly," but the style of "Legislature" is commonly used, including by the body itself. The G ...

in 1961, less than two years before his death. The current position of State Poet, a four-year appointment, was created by Executive Order 69 in 1988. In 2007, the designation was changed to Poet Laureate. The following have held the position: * Robert Frost (1961-1963) *

Galway Kinnell Galway Mills Kinnell (February 1, 1927 – October 28, 2014) was an American poet. He won the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry for his 1982 collection, ''Selected Poems'' and split the National Book Award for Poetry with Charles Wright. From 1989 to 1 ...

(1989–1993) *

Louise Gluck Louise or Luise may refer to: * Louise (given name) Arts Songs * "Louise" (Bonnie Tyler song), 2005 * "Louise" (The Human League song), 1984 * "Louise" (Jett Rebel song), 2013 * "Louise" (Maurice Chevalier song), 1929 *"Louise", by Clan of ...

(1994–1998) *

Ellen Bryant Voigt Ellen Bryant Voigt (born May 9, 1943) is an American poet. She served as the Poet Laureate of Vermont. Biography Voigt was born May 9, 1943, in Danville, Virginia. She grew up in Chatham, Virginia, graduated from Converse College, and received an ...

(1999–2002) *

Grace Paley Grace Paley (December 11, 1922 – August 22, 2007) was an American short story author, poet, teacher, and political activist. Paley wrote three critically acclaimed collections of short stories, which were compiled in the Pulitzer Prize and Na ...

(2003–2007) *

Ruth Stone Ruth Stone (June 8, 1915 – November 19, 2011) was an award-winning American poet. Life and poetry Stone was born in Roanoke, Virginia and lived there until age 6, when her family moved back to her parents' hometown of Indianapolis, Indian ...

(2007–2011) *

Sydney Lea Sydney Lea (born December 22, 1942) is an American poet, novelist, essayist, editor, and professor. He was the founding editor of the ''New England Review'' and was the Poet Laureate of Vermont from 2011 to 2015. Lea's writings focus the outdoor ...

(2011–2015) *

Chard deNiord Chard or Swiss chard (; ''Beta vulgaris'' subsp. ''vulgaris'', Cicla Group and Flavescens Group) is a green leafy vegetable. In the cultivars of the Flavescens Group, the leaf stalks are large and often prepared separately from the leaf blade; ...

(2015–2019) *

Mary Ruefle Mary Ruefle (born 1952) is an American poet, essayist, and professor. She has published many collections of poetry, the most recent of which, ''Dunce'' (Wave Books, 2019), was longlisted for the National Book Award in Poetry and was a finalist f ...

(2019– )

Virginia

The current poet laureate of is Virginia is Luisa Igloria, appointed in 2020 to a two-year term.

Washington

Although the Washington State Federation of Women's Clubs named

Ella Higginson Ella Rhoads Higginson ( – December 27, 1940) was an American author of award-winning fiction, poetry, and essays characteristically set in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. She was the author of 2 collections of short stories, ...

poet laureate in 1931, there was no official position until House Bill 1279 was signed into law in 2007. The position was unfilled for two years due to a budget shortfall, and resumed without state funding. The following have served: * Samuel Green (2007–2009) * ''unfilled (2010–2011)'' *

Kathleen Flenniken Kathleen Flenniken (born October 30, 1960) is an American writer, poet, editor, and educator. In 2012, she was named the Poet Laureate of Washington. She has been honored with a 2012 Pushcart Prize, as well as fellowships with the Artist Trust ...

(2012–2014) * Elizabeth Austen (2014–2016) * Tod Marshall (2016–2018) * Claudia Castro Luna (2018– )

West Virginia

West Virginia established the position of Poet Laureate by statute in 1927. The appointment was defined by statue as "at the pleasure of the Governor", but has become an indefinitely renewable two-year term. The following have served: * Karl Myers (1927–1937) * Roy Lee Harmon (March 12, 1937 – 1943) * James Lowell McPherson (1943–1946) * Roy Lee Harmon (October 11, 1946 – 1960) * Vera Andrews Harvey (1960–1961) * Roy Lee Harmon (March 7, 1961 – 1979) * Louse McNeil (Pease) (1979–1993) * Irene McKinney (1994–2012) * Marc Harshman (2012– )

Wisconsin

The position and nominating commission was created by executive order from Governor

Tommy Thompson Tommy George Thompson (born November 19, 1941) is an American Republican politician who most recently served as interim president of the University of Wisconsin System from 2020 to 2022. A member of the Republican Party, he previously served a ...

on July 31, 2000. On February 4, 2011, Governor Scott Walker discontinued state sponsorship and sent a letter to the members of the Wisconsin Poet Laureate Commission to inform them it has been terminated. The Wisconsin Academy of Sciences, Arts & Letters assumed the role of the commission May of that year. The Poets laureate of Wisconsin are: * Ellen Kort (2001–2004) * Denise Sweet (2005–2008) * Marilyn Taylor (2009–2010) *

Bruce Dethlefsen Bruce Dethlefsen is an American poet and teacher of poetry. He was Wisconsin Poet Laureate for 2011–2012, having been appointed by Governor James Doyle. He also served as secretary for the Wisconsin Fellowship of Poets for six years. Early li ...

(2011–2012; incumbent when the state discontinued the commission) * Max Garland (2013–2014) *

Kimberly Blaeser Kimberly M. Blaeser (born 1955) is a Native American poet and writer enrolled in the White Earth Band of the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe. She was the Wisconsin Poet Laureate 2015–16. Background Kimberly Blaeser was born in 1955 in Billings, Mont ...

(2015–2016) *

Karla Huston Karla Huston is an American poet in Appleton, Wisconsin. She was the Poet Laureate of Wisconsin, serving a two-year term from 2017 to 2018. Huston is the author of eleven chapbooks of poems, the latest ''Grief Bone'', (Five Oaks Press), and a fu ...

(2017-2018) * Margaret Rozga (2019–2020) * Dasha Kelly Hamilton (2021– )

Wyoming

The position of Poet Laureate was created by executive order in 1981 with a variable term of service. The post became a customary two-year term starting on statehood day (July 10). The current poet laureate of Wyoming is Eugene M. Gagliano appointed in 2016 and reappointed in 2018. The past poets laureate are: * Peggy Simson Curry (January 14, 1981 – January 20, 1987) * Charles L. Levendosky (January 4, 1988 – 1995) * Robert Roripaugh (July 21, 1995 – 2003) * David Romtvedt (August 15, 2004 – January 3, 2011) *

Patricia Frolander Patricia Frolander (born 1942) is an American poet originally from Boston, Massachusetts. She was poet laureate of Wyoming from November 7, 2011, to June 9, 2013. Frolander began writing poetry in the mid-1990s. She has written five poetry collect ...

(November 7, 2011 – June 9, 2013) * Echo Roy Klaproth (July 10, 2013 – July 8, 2015) * A. Rose Hill (July 9, 2015 – July 10, 2016)

Notes

External links

U.S. state poets laureate
– a comprehensive guide at the Library of Congress
California state poet laureateConnecticut state poet laureateDelaware state poet laureateIllinois state poet laureateOfficial state poemsWashington state poet laureateWashington state poet laureate
{{portal bar, Poetry American poetry *

United States The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territori ...

Poet Laureate A poet laureate (plural: poets laureate) 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 ...