Poet Laureate of Virginia
The position of Poet Laureate of Virginia was established December 18, 1936 by the Virginia General Assembly.[1]
Originally the Poet Laureate of Virginia was appointed without outside consultation by the General Assembly, usually for one year, a process that has been described as proceeding "irregularly and capriciously",[2] and being "more of a political thing".[3]
As of 1996 the procedure was changed[3][2] and most recently codified in 1998 in Virginia Code, Sec. 7.1–43, as follows:[1]
- 7.1-43. Poet laureate.
- The honorary position of Poet Laureate of Virginia is hereby created. Beginning in 1998, the Governor may appoint a poet laureate from a list of nominees submitted by the Poetry Society of Virginia. Each poet laureate shall serve a term of two years with no restrictions on reappointment.
- (1997, c. 299.)[1]
The Virginia General Assembly now confirms the governor's appointment.
List of Poets Laureate of Virginia
Current Poet Laureate:
- Henry Hart (July 1, 2018 – June 30, 2020)[4]
Former Poets Laureate:
- Tim Seibles (July 1, 2016 – June 30, 2018)
- Ron Smith (July 1, 2014 – June 30, 2016)
- Sofia Starnes (July 1, 2012 – June 30, 2014)[2]
- Kelly Cherry (July 1, 2010 – June 30, 2012)[2]
- Claudia Emerson (August 26, 2008 – June 30, 2010)[2]
- Carolyn Kreiter-Foronda (June 26, 2006 – June 30, 2008)[2]
- Rita Dove (September 20, 2004 – June 25, 2006)[2]
- George Garrett (July 9, 2002 – June 30, 2004)[2]
- Grace Pow Simpson (2000–2002)[5]
- Joseph Awad (1998–2000)[2][3]
- Margaret Ward Morland (1996–1998)[2][3][6]
- Kathryn Forrester Thro (July 1, 1994 – June 30, 1996)[2]
- Guy Carleton Drewry (1970-1991)[1][2]
- Ruby Altizer Roberts (1950)[2]
- Leigh Buckner Haynes (1949)[1][2]
- Thomas Lomax Hunter (1948)[2][7]
- Charles Day (1942-1948)[8][9]
- Carter Warner Wormeley (1936-1938)[1][2]
See also
References
- ^ a b c d e f "Virginia Current Laureate". The Library of Congress. Retrieved September 17, 2018.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p Beyers, Chris (May 19, 2015). "Chapter 26: Modern Poetry". In Hayes, Kevin J. (ed.). A history of Virginia literature. Cambridge University Press. pp. 362–375. ISBN 9781107057777. Retrieved September 17, 2018.
- ^ a b c d Baker, Donald P. (March 17, 1999). "For Virginia, a New Poet Laureate". Washington Post. Retrieved September 17, 2018.
- ^ Ducibella, Jim (June 21, 2018). "Henry Hart has a new title: poet laureate of Virginia". William & Mary News & Media. Retrieved September 17, 2018.
- ^ Robertson, Ellen (March 8, 2016). "Service set for Grace Pow Simpson, former Virginia Poet Laureate". Richmond Times-Dispatch. Retrieved September 17, 2018.
- ^ "SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 42 2 Offered January 19, 1996 3 Designating Margaret Ward Morland of Lynchburg as Virginia ' s Poet Laureate for July 1, 1996, 4 through June 30, 1997". LIS: Virginia's Legislative Information System. Retrieved September 17, 2018.
- ^ Plaisance, Patrick Lee (May 17, 1998). "Ambassador of Verse". Daily Press. Retrieved September 17, 2018.
- ^ "Poet Laureates of Virginia". Massanutten Regional Library. August 30, 2013. Retrieved September 17, 2018.
- ^ Day, Charles (1937). Lights o'Day. A book of poems. Norfolk, Virginia: C. Day.