What is the poet laureate |American poet laureate list

What is the poet laureate 

A poet laureate is a poet who is officially appointed by a government, monarch, or organization and is honored for their excellence in poetry. This title is one of the highest recognitions a poet can receive, and it often carries both prestige and responsibility.

The term “laureate” comes from ancient traditions in Greece and Rome, where outstanding individuals—especially poets—were crowned with a wreath made of laurel leaves. This symbolized honor and achievement. Over time, this tradition evolved into the modern title of poet laureate.

In general, a poet laureate is considered the official or national poet of a country or region. The role usually involves promoting poetry and literature among the public. In some cases, the poet laureate may be asked to write poems for important national events such as celebrations, ceremonies, or memorials. However, in many modern countries, the position is largely honorary and does not require specific duties.

The position of poet laureate first became formal in England during the 17th century. The poet was appointed by the king or queen and often served as a member of the royal household. Later, other countries adopted similar roles. For example, in the United States, the poet laureate is appointed by the Library of Congress and usually serves for a limited term, working to encourage appreciation of poetry across the nation.

• Today, many countries, states, and even cities have their own poet laureates. These poets act as cultural ambassadors, helping to keep poetry alive and relevant in society. They may organize readings, educational programs, or special projects to engage people with poetry.
• In conclusion, a poet laureate is a highly respected poet chosen to represent and promote poetry in a country or community. The title reflects both honor and responsibility, linking modern literature with an ancient tradition of celebrating artistic excellence.

🇺🇸 United States Poet Laureates (FULL LIST)
🔹 Early “Consultants in Poetry” (1937–1985)

• 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)
• Léonie Adams (1948–1949)
• Elizabeth Bishop (1949–1950)
• Conrad Aiken (1950–1952)
• William Carlos Williams (1952; appointed 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)
• Gwendolyn Brooks (1985–1986)

• 🔹 Official “Poet Laureate” (1986–Present)

• Robert Penn Warren (1986–1987)
• 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)
• Charles Wright (2014–2015)
• Juan Felipe Herrera (2015–2017)
• Tracy K. Smith (2017–2019)
• Joy Harjo (2019–2022)
• Ada Limón (2022–2025)
• Arthur Sze (2025–present)          

The position started in 1937, but the official title “Poet Laureate” was adopted in 1985.

The poet is appointed by the Library of Congress and usually serves 1 year (sometimes longer).

Short bios for every U.S. Poet Laureate

🇺🇸 Early “Consultants in Poetry” (1937–1985)

• Joseph Auslander – American poet and editor; first poetry consultant, known for lyrical and patriotic verse.
• Allen Tate – Major figure of the Southern Agrarians; wrote formal, philosophical poetry.
• Robert Penn Warren – Pulitzer Prize–winning poet and novelist; co-founded The Southern Review.
• Louise Bogan – Influential lyric poet and long-time poetry critic for The New Yorker.
• Karl Shapiro – Pulitzer-winning poet; explored modern life and war experiences.
• Robert Lowell – Leading confessional poet; wrote about personal and political struggles.
• Léonie Adams – Known for spiritual and highly crafted lyric poetry.
• Elizabeth Bishop – Celebrated for precise imagery and travel-inspired poems.
• Conrad Aiken – Poet and novelist focused on psychology and identity.
• William Carlos Williams – Modernist poet; emphasized everyday American speech and imagery.
• Randall Jarrell – Poet and critic; famous for World War II poems.
• Robert Frost – One of America’s most famous poets; wrote about rural life and nature.
• Richard Eberhart – Pulitzer-winning poet; explored nature and existential themes.
• Louis Untermeyer – Poet, critic, and influential anthologist.
• Howard Nemerov – Known for witty, intellectual poetry and formal style.
• Reed Whittemore – Poet and literary editor with a conversational style.
• Stephen Spender – British-born poet; wrote about politics and social justice.
• James Dickey – Poet and novelist; author of Deliverance.
• William Jay Smith – Poet and translator; also wrote children’s poetry.
• William Stafford – Known for simple, reflective poetry about daily life.
• Josephine Jacobsen – Poet and short story writer; explored human relationships.
• Daniel Hoffman – Poet and critic; interested in myth and folklore.
• Stanley Kunitz – Deeply personal poet; explored aging and identity.
• Robert Hayden – First African American consultant; wrote historical and cultural poems.
• William Meredith – Formal poet; wrote about war and personal experience.
• Maxine Kumin – Pulitzer-winning poet; focused on rural life and feminism.
• Anthony Hecht – Known for formal precision and Holocaust themes.
• Robert Fitzgerald – Poet and translator of Greek classics.
• Gwendolyn Brooks – First Black Pulitzer Prize winner; wrote about urban Black life.

🇺🇸 Official U.S. Poet Laureates (1986–Present)

• Robert Penn Warren – First official Poet Laureate; major literary figure.
• Richard Wilbur – Elegant formal poet and translator of French drama.
• Howard Nemerov – Returned as laureate; known for intellectual wit.
• Mark Strand – Wrote surreal, minimalist poetry about isolation.
• Joseph Brodsky – Russian-American Nobel laureate; wrote on exile and freedom.
• Mona Van Duyn – First female laureate; explored domestic and intellectual themes.
• Rita Dove – Youngest laureate; focused on history, music, and identity.
• Robert Hass – Poet and environmental advocate.
• Robert Pinsky – Promoted poetry nationwide through public projects.
• Stanley Kunitz – Returned as laureate late in life.
• Billy Collins – Known for humorous, accessible poetry.
• Louise Glück – Nobel Prize winner; wrote introspective, myth-inspired poetry.
• Ted Kooser – Focused on rural American life and clarity of language.
• Donald Hall – Wrote about aging, loss, and New England life.
• Charles Simic – Serbian-American poet; surreal and darkly humorous.
• Kay Ryan – Known for short, witty, tightly structured poems.
• W. S. Merwin – Environmentalist poet with deep spiritual themes.
• Philip Levine – Wrote about working-class life in America.
• Natasha Trethewey – Explored race, history, and memory.
• Charles Wright – Meditative poet influenced by Eastern philosophy.
• Juan Felipe Herrera – First Latino laureate; celebrated cultural identity.
• Tracy K. Smith – Wrote about science, race, and the universe.
• Joy Harjo – First Native American laureate; poet and musician.
• Ada Limón – Known for emotional clarity and nature themes.
• Arthur Sze – Contemporary poet blending science, culture, and nature.