State Poet Laureate
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Many of the
states in the United States In the United States, a state is a constituent political entity, of which there are 50. Bound together in a political union, each state holds governmental jurisdiction over a separate and defined geographic territory where it shares its sov ...
have established the post of poet laureate 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 on the advice of the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, prime minister. The role does not entail any specific duties, but there is an expectation ...
and the equivalent
Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry to the Library of Congress The poet laureate consultant in poetry to the Library of Congress, commonly referred to as the United States poet laureate, serves as the official poet of the United States. During their term, the poet laureate seeks to raise the national consc ...
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, a ...
s or literary events, and to promote awareness of poetry within their geographical region. , 46 
states State most commonly refers to: * State (polity), a centralized political organization that regulates law and society within a territory **Sovereign state, a sovereign polity in international law, commonly referred to as a country **Nation state, a ...
and the
District of Columbia Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly known as Washington or D.C., is the capital city and Federal district of the United States, federal district of the United States. The city is on the Potomac River, across from ...
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 to 1959. There has never been an official State Poet Laureate in
Massachusetts Massachusetts ( ; ), officially the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, is a U.S. state, state in the New England region of the Northeastern United States. It borders the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Maine to its east, Connecticut and Rhode ...
. While
Idaho Idaho ( ) is a landlocked U.S. state, state in the Pacific Northwest and Mountain states, Mountain West subregions of the Western United States. It borders Montana and Wyoming to the east, Nevada and Utah to the south, and Washington (state), ...
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 in 1930
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 childre ...
to Governor
Bibb Graves David Bibb Graves (April 1, 1873 – March 14, 1942) was an American United States Democratic Party, Democratic politician and the List of governors of Alabama, 38th governor of Alabama 1927–1931 and 1935–1939, the first Alabama governor to ...
. 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 on a four-year renewable basis. 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

The position of Poet Laureate was created 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.Library of Congress
U.S. State Poets Laureate: Alaska
Retrieved August 1, 2022.


Arizona

The state of
Arizona Arizona is a U.S. state, state in the Southwestern United States, Southwestern region of the United States, sharing the Four Corners region of the western United States with Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah. It also borders Nevada to the nort ...
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 2 ...
as the inaugural Poet Laureate.


Arkansas

Charles T. Davis, appointed in 1923, was the inaugural poet laureate of Arkansas. He served in the position until his death on December 21, 1945. The position was vacant from 1946 until 1953, when
Rosa Zagnoni Marinoni Rosa Zagnoni Marinoni (January 5, 1888March 26, 1970) was an American poet. Marinoni had more than 1,000 of her short stories published in 70 magazines and her poems were published in more than 900 U.S. and international publications. Arkansas ...
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. 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 Suzanne Underwood Rhodes, who was appointed to a four-year term in 2022.


California

The state of
California California () is a U.S. state, state in the Western United States that lies on the West Coast of the United States, Pacific Coast. It borders Oregon to the north, Nevada and Arizona to the east, and shares Mexico–United States border, an ...
established a state Poet Laureate under Governor Hiram Warren Johnson and appointed
Ina Donna Coolbrith Ina Donna Coolbrith (born Josephine Donna Smith; March 10, 1841 – February 29, 1928) was an American poet, writer, librarian, and a prominent figure in the San Francisco Bay Area literary community. Called the "Sweet Singer of California", sh ...
on June 30, 1915. Coolbrith was later acknowledged as the "Loved Laurel-Crowned Poet of California" by a 1919 state Senate resolution, retaining the title until her death in 1928.
Juan Felipe Herrera Juan Felipe Herrera (born on December 27, 1948) is an American poet, performer, writer, cartoonist, teacher, and activist. Herrera was the 21st United States Poet Laureate from 2015 to 2017. He is a major figure in the literary field of Chicano ...
was appointed by Gov. Jerry Brown in March 2012. 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 highly controversial and countercultural literary movements w ...
from 2015 to 2018. The current poet laureate is
Lee Herrick Lee Herrick (born 1970) is a Korean American poet, writer and professor, who was appointed to be Poet Laureate of the State of California, the first Asian American to hold the position, by governor Gavin Newsom in 2022. Biography Herrick is ethnic ...
.


Colorado

Colorado Poets Laureate are appointed to four-year terms. They are nominated by
Colorado Creative Industries Colorado Creative Industries, formerly known as the Colorado Council on the Arts, is an agency of the state government of Colorado, responsible for the promotion of the arts. It was formed in July 2010, when the Council on the Arts and Art in Publ ...
and Colorado Humanities & Center for the Book, and chosen by the Governor. The State of
Colorado Colorado is a U.S. state, state in the Western United States. It is one of the Mountain states, sharing the Four Corners region with Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah. It is also bordered by Wyoming to the north, Nebraska to the northeast, Kansas ...
also appointed singer/songwriter writer
John Denver Henry John Deutschendorf Jr. (December 31, 1943 – October 12, 1997), known professionally as John Denver, was an American Country music, country and Folk music, folk singer, songwriter, and actor. He was one of the most popular acoustic m ...
in 1974. The following have held the position:


Cities/Regions


= Aurora

= * Jovan Mays (2013 - 2017) * Assetou Xango (2017 - 2020) * Ahja Fox (2022 - 2026)


= Boulder

= *
Reg Saner Reginald A. Saner (December 30, 1928 – April 19, 2021) was an American poet and academic. Life and career Reginald A. Saner was born in Jacksonville, Illinois on December 30, 1928. He graduated from St. Norbert College, near Green Bay, Wisconsi ...
(1999 - ?)


= Denver

= *
Chris Ransick Chris Ransick (1962 – 2019) was a writer of literary fiction and poetry from Colorado. Ransick was appointed by Mayor John Hickenlooper as the poet laureate for the City of Denver Denver ( ) is a List of municipalities in Colorado#Con ...
served as poet laureate of
Denver Denver ( ) is a List of municipalities in Colorado#Consolidated city and county, consolidated city and county, the List of capitals in the United States, capital and List of municipalities in Colorado, most populous city of the U.S. state of ...
2006 to 2010.


= Fort Collins

= * Matt Sage and Michael Bussman (2012 - 2013) * Jason Hardung (2013 - 2014) * Chloe Leisure (2014 - 2016) * Aby Kaupang (2016 - 2017) * Felicia Zamora (2017 - 2018) * Natalie Giarratano (2018 -2020) * Autumn Bernhardt (2020 - 2022) * Ally Eden (2022 - 2024) * Melissa Mitchell (2024 - 2026)


= Lafayette

= * ZBassSpeaks, a.k.a. Z (2024 - 2026)


= Pikes Peak

= *
Janice Gould Janice Gould (1949–2019) was a Koyangk'auwi (Konkow, Concow) Maidu writer and scholar. She was the author of ''Beneath My Heart'', ''Earthquake Weather'' and co-editor with Dean Rader of ''Speak to Me Words: Essays on Contemporary American ...
served as poet laureate of
Pikes Peak Pikes Peak is the List of mountain ranges of Colorado#Mountain ranges, highest summit of the southern Front Range of the Rocky Mountains in North America. The Ultra-prominent peak, ultra-prominent fourteener is located in Pike National Forest, ...
, representing the
Pikes Peak Library District Pikes Peak Library District (PPLD) is a nationally recognized system of public libraries serving a population of more than 650,000 across 2,070 square miles in El Paso County, Colorado. Pikes Peak Library District has resources for children, tee ...
which includes the greater
Colorado Springs Colorado Springs is the most populous city in El Paso County, Colorado, United States, and its county seat. The city had a population of 478,961 at the 2020 census, a 15.02% increase since 2010. Colorado Springs is the second-most populous c ...
area, from 2014 to 2016.


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. The ...
. 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.


Delaware

Poets are appointed to the position by the governor. The first poet laureate of Delaware was Edna Deemer Leach appointed in 1947. Nnamdi Chukwuocha and Albert Mills—twin brothers who are known as the "Twin Poets"—were appointed 17th Poets Laureate of the State of Delaware on December 13, 2015. According to the
Library of Congress The Library of Congress (LOC) is a research library in Washington, D.C., serving as the library and research service for the United States Congress and the ''de facto'' national library of the United States. It also administers Copyright law o ...
, they are the first co-laureates appointed by a state and the first siblings to share the position. Predecessors include Fleda Brown and
JoAnn Balingit JoAnn Balingit is an American poet and nonfiction writer who served as the 16th poet laureate of Delaware. Appointed to the position by governor Ruth Ann Minner from May 2008 until 2015, she was the first person of color to hold the title. She is ...
.


District of Columbia

The United States' capital, the
District of Columbia Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly known as Washington or D.C., is the capital city and Federal district of the United States, federal district of the United States. The city is on the Potomac River, across from ...
, 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 mayor of the District of Columbia from 1979 to 1991 and 1995 to 1999. A Democratic Party (United States), Democrat, Barr ...
.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. , the Interim Executive Director is David Markey. CAH was created as an outgrowth of the U.S. Congress Act that established the National Fo ...
. 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 ca ...
was appointed by Mayor
Marion Barry Marion Shepilov Barry (born Marion Barry Jr.; March 6, 1936 – November 23, 2014) was an American politician who served as mayor of the District of Columbia from 1979 to 1991 and 1995 to 1999. A Democratic Party (United States), Democrat, Barr ...
, 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 Anthony Allen Williams (born Anthony Stephen Eggleton; July 28, 1951) is an American politician who was the mayor of the District of Columbia, for two terms, from 1999 to 2007. Williams had previously served as chief financial officer for the dist ...
, 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, 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 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 currently holds this position and was appointed on June 15, 2015.


Georgia

Frank Lebby Stanton Frank Lebby Stanton (February 22, 1857 – January 7, 1927), frequently credited as Frank L. Stanton, Frank Stanton or F. L. Stanton, was an American lyricist. He was also the initial columnist for the ''Atlanta Constitution'' and became the ...
served from 1925 to 1927 as Georgia's first poet laureate. Successors include
Ernest Neal Ernest Neal (1858–1943), was an American poet and educator. He was the 2nd Poet Laureate of Georgia. He lived in Dahlonega for some time, but Calhoun, Georgia was his home. Biography He was born in 1858 in Sparta, Georgia, U.S.. He graduate ...
,
Conrad Aiken Conrad Potter Aiken (August 5, 1889 – August 17, 1973) was an American writer and poet, honored with a Pulitzer Prize and a National Book Award, and was United States Poet Laureate from 1950 to 1952. His published works include poetry, short st ...
,
David Bottoms David Bottoms (September 11, 1949 – March 2023) was an American poet, novelist, and academic. He was Poet Laureate of Georgia from 2000 to 2012. Biography Bottoms' first book, ''Shooting Rats at the Bibb County Dump'', was selected by Robert ...
,
Judson Mitcham Judson Mitcham (born 1948) is an American author and poet best known for being the state of Georgia's tenth official poet laureate between 2012 and 2019. He is the only writer to win the Townsend Prize for Fiction twice. His poetry is featured r ...
, and
Chelsea Rathburn Chelsea Rathburn (born Jacksonville, Florida) is an American poet. Chelsea Rathburn was raised in Miami, Florida, and earned a bachelor's degree at Florida State University and an MFA in creative writing at the University of Arkansas. Her work has ...
.


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, Oklahom ...
, originally from Oklahoma, was unofficially referred to as the poet laureate of Hawaii. In 1951 Hawaii Territorial 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 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 (United States), Democratic Party. Born in Buffalo, New York, Abercrombie is a ...
., and he is the first poet laureate for the state of Hawaii, serving through 2022.
Brandy Nālani McDougall Brandy Nālani McDougall is a Kānaka Maoli author, poet, educator, literary activist, and associate professor at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. She is the Hawai'i State Poet Laureate for 2023–2025. Early life and education McDougall ...
began her appointment as Poet Laureate of Hawaii in 2023, which she will serve through 2025.


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. Kerri Webster began her tenure as Writer in Residence in 2023.


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. The
Illinois governor The governor of Illinois is the head of government of Illinois, and the various agencies and departments over which the officer has jurisdiction, as prescribed in the state constitution. It is a directly elected position, votes being cast by p ...
posthumously named songwriter
John Prine John Edward Prine (; October 10, 1946 – April 7, 2020) was an American singer-songwriter of country-folk music. Widely cited as one of the most influential songwriters of his generation, Prine was known for his signature blend of humoro ...
honorary poet laureate in 2021.


Indiana

Indiana has the unique situation of having two posts: an official "state poet laureate" (created in 2005) and the unofficial post of "premier poet" created in 1929 occupied by Sarah E. Morin. Joyce Brinkman was appointed as the first poet laureate of Indiana, serving from 2005 to 2008. The position has been occupied by Curtis L. Crisler as of 2024.


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. Early life and education Bell was raised in Center Moriches on Long Island. He served in the ...
was Iowa's first Poet Laureate, from 2000 to 2004, followed by
Robert Dana Robert Dana (June 2, 1929 – February 6, 2010) was an American poet, who taught writing and English literature at Cornell College and many other schools, revived ''The North American Review'' and served as its editor during the years 1964–1968 ...
from 2004 to 2008, Mary Swander from 2009 to 2019, and Debra Marquart from 2019 to 2023. Vince Gotera is the current Poet Laureate of Iowa. His two-year term started in 2024.


Kansas

The current poet laureate of Kansas is Traci Brimhall, serving from 2022 to 2024. Predecessors include Jonathan Holden, Denise Low,
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 is a 5th-generation Topekan and Topeka High School graduate. He graduated from Beloit College and Boston Univer ...
, Caryn Mirriam-Goldberg, Wyatt Townley and Huascar Media.


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
Alison Pelegrin Alison Pelegrin is an American poet, writer, and English lecturer. She is the author of several poetry collections, including ''Our Lady of Bewilderment'' (LSU 2022), ''Waterlines'' (LSU 2016), ''Hurricane Party'' (Akron 2011), and ''Big Muddy ...
, who was appointed in 2023. Predecessors include
Ava Leavell Haymon Ava Leavell Haymon was the 2013–2015 Poet Laureate of Louisiana. Career She is the author of four collections of poetry, includinEldest DaughterJulie Kane 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 term. Although born in Massachusetts, Kane has lived in Louisiana for over three decades and ...
,
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 ...
,
John Warner Smith John Warner Smith (born December 22, 1952) is an American poet and educator. He formerly held the position as the Louisiana Poet Laureate. His poems have appeared in numerous published works. Life, education, and career Smith is a native of M ...
and
Mona Lisa Saloy Mona Lisa Saloy is an American poet and folklorist. She is the Poet Laureate of Louisiana since 2021. Biography Mona Lisa Saloy was born in New Orleans and got her education in the University of Washington, where she graduated in 1979 with a BA ...
.


Maine

Kate Barnes served as Maine's first poet laureate from 1996 to 1999. The current poet laureate of Maine is Julia Bouwsna. Predecessors include Wesley McNair,
Baron Wormser Baron Wormser (born 1948) is an American poet from Baltimore, Maryland. Biography Baron Wormser was born in Baltimore on February 15, 1948. He earned his BA from Johns Hopkins University, and later completed graduate studies at the University o ...
, and
Betsy Sholl Elizabeth "Betsy" Sholl (born 1945) is an American poet who was poet laureate of Maine from 2006 to 2011 and has authored nine collections of poetry. Sholl has received several poetry awards, including the 1991 AWP Award, and the 2015 Maine Lite ...
.


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.


Cities

* The city of
Takoma Park Takoma Park is a city in Montgomery County, Maryland, United States. It is a suburb of Washington, and part of the Washington metropolitan area. Founded in 1883 and incorporated in 1890, Takoma Park, informally called "Azalea City", is a Tree ...
Poet Laureate program, established in 2005, honors the achievements of a local poet, encouraging a wider appreciation of poetry and literature. Kathleen O'Toole currently holds the office. Poet Laureate emeritus include Donald Berger (2005–2007), Anne Becker (2007–2011), and Merrill Leffler (2011–2018).


Massachusetts

Massachusetts has never had an official poet laureate. However, many cities in Massachusetts have appointed poets laureate. In 2025, Governor Maura Healy signed an executive order to create the first-ever poet laureate position for Massachusetts. In May 2025 at the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem, Governor Maura Healey and Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll announced that Regie Gibson has been selected to serve as Massachusetts Inaugural Poet Laureate.


Cities

* Miriam Levine was appointed the first poet laureate of Arlington in 2015 * Sam Cornish was appointed the first Boston poet laureate in 2008, succeeded in 2015 by Danielle Legros Georges. The current Poet Laureate of Boston is
Porsha Olayiwola Porsha Olayiwola (/Help:IPA/English, ˈpɔɹʃəː ˈəʊl ˌji.wɔ ː lɑː/ por-shuh o-la-yi-war-la; born June 11, 1988) is a Black people, Black United States, American poet based in Boston, Massachusetts. Early life Of Nigerian Americans, ...
. * Martin Espada was the first poet laureate of Northampton in 2003. Successors include Janet Aalfs and Patrick Donnelly. * Stephan Delbos was appointed the first poet laureate of Plymouth in 2020. * Everett Hoagland was appointed the first Poet Laureate of the City of New Bedford. Successors have included John Landry and Patricia Gomes. Sarah Jane Mulvey is the current Poet Laureate of the City of New Bedford.


Michigan

Edgar A. Guest served as Michigan Poet Laureate from 1952 through 1959 having been appointed Poet Laureate through Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 38 (1952) of the Michigan Legislature. State lawmakers made three separate unsuccessful attempts to reinstate a poet laureate position in 2000, 2005, and 2019. The current poet laureate of Michigan is
Nandi Comer Nandi Comer is an American author and poet. She was appointed as the poet laureate of Michigan in 2023, becoming the state's first poet laureate since the 1950s. Early life and education Comer grew up in Detroit and graduated from the Communica ...
, appointed in 2023.


Minnesota

In May 2007, Gov. Pawlenty reversed his opposition and signed Section 4, Chapter 148 of the Minnesota Session Laws 2007, establishing the state poet laureate.
Robert Bly Robert Elwood Bly (December 23, 1926 – November 21, 2021) was an American poet, essayist, activist and leader of the mythopoetic men's movement. His best-known prose book is '' Iron John: A Book About Men'' (1990), which spent 62 weeks on ...
was appointed the first Minnesota poet laureate on February 27, 2008, succeeded on August 23, 2011, by Joyce Sutphen. Dr.
Gwen Westerman Gwen Nell Westerman is a Native Americans in the United States, Native American educator, writer, and fiber artist. She is a professor at Minnesota State University, Mankato, and the Director of the Native American Literature Symposium. Governor ...
was appointed as the third Minnesota poet laureate on September 9, 2021, by Governor
Tim Walz Timothy James Walz (; born April 6, 1964) is an American politician who has served since 2019 as the 41st governor of Minnesota. He was the Democratic Party (United States), Democratic nominee for Vice President of the United States, vice pre ...
.


Mississippi

In 1963, Governor Ross Barnett appointed Mississippi's first Poet Laureate, Maude Willard Leet Prenshaw. In 1973, Louise Moss Montgomery was named laureate by Gov. William Waller. Gov. Cliff Finch appointed Winifred Hamrick Farrar laureate in 1978. All three poets laureate served lifetime terms. Beginning in 2012, Mississippi poets laureate now serve four-year terms. Natasha Tretheway served as the Poet Laureate of Mississippi from 2012 to 2016. On August 10, 2016, Beth Ann Fennelly assumed the position. 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

Sandra Alcosser was Montana's first poet laureate, serving in the position from 2005 to 2007. The current poet laureate of Montana is
Chris La Tray Chris La Tray (born April 4, 1967) is a writer who lives in Missoula, Montana. He is a member of the Little Shell Tribe of Chippewa Indians of Montana and also identifies as Métis. His first full-length book, ''One-Sentence Journal: Short Poems ...
, appointed in 2023. 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 ...
,
Henry Real Bird Henry Real Bird (born July 24, 1948), a member of the Crow Nation, is a poet. Real Bird was raised by his grandparents ranching on the Crow Reservation in Montana, and entered first grade speaking only the Crow Indian Language, which as his prima ...
, and Mark Gibbons.


Nebraska

John Neihardt John Gneisenau Neihardt (January 8, 1881 – November 3, 1973) was an American writer and poet, amateur historian and ethnographer. Born at the end of the American settlement of the Plains, he became interested in the lives of those who had been ...
, who was appointed Nebraska poet laureate in 1921, retains the title of Poet Laureate of Nebraska "in perpetuity". He served until his death on November 3, 1973. Four subsequent official poets have been given the title
Nebraska State Poet The titles Nebraska Poet Laureate and Nebraska State Poet are applied by the government of Nebraska to an official state poet. John G. Neihardt was designated Nebraska poet laureate by the Nebraska Legislature in 1921. In 1927 the legislature e ...
: *
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 ...
*
Twyla Hansen Twyla M. Hansen (born 1949) is an American poet, who served as the Nebraska State Poet until 2018. She is the third Nebraskan and first woman to hold this position, to which she was appointed by Governor Dave Heineman in November 2013. Life Hansen ...
* Matt Mason *
Jewel Rodgers Jewel Rodgers is an American spoken word poet who, as of 2025, serves as Nebraska State Poet. She is the first African American to fill the role. Rodgers lives in Omaha. At the announcement of her selection in January 2025 as the state's offici ...


Nevada

Mildred Breedlove (1904–1994) served as the first poet laureate of Nevada from 1957 to 2007. During her tenure, Breedlove 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

Paul Scott Mowrer was appointed as New Hampshire's first poet laureate, and served from 1968 to 1971. The current poet laureate of New Hampshire is Jennifer Militello, appointed in 2024. 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 romantic ...
,
Patricia Fargnoli Patricia Fargnoli (November 16, 1937 – February 18, 2021) was an American poet and psychotherapist. She was the New Hampshire Poet Laureate from December 2006 to March 2009. Biography Fargnoli was an alumna of Trinity College, Hartford Colleg ...
,
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, inc ...
, 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 ...
the
New Jersey Council for the Humanities New or NEW may refer to: Music * New, singer of K-pop group The Boyz * ''New'' (album), by Paul McCartney, 2013 ** "New" (Paul McCartney song), 2013 * ''New'' (EP), by Regurgitator, 1995 * "New" (Daya song), 2017 * "New" (No Doubt song), 1 ...
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 Amiri Baraka (born Everett Leroy Jones; October 7, 1934 – January 9, 2014), previously known as LeRoi Jones and Imamu Amear Baraka, was an American writer of poetry, drama, fiction, essays, and music criticism. He was the author of numerous b ...
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 (human categorization), race or ethnicity over another. It may also me ...
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

The current New Mexico Poet Laureate is Lauren Camp (2023–2025). Her predecessor was New Mexico's first poet laureate,
Levi Romero Levi Jose Romero (born April 12, 1984) is a Venezuelan former professional baseball pitcher. Romero played in the Houston Astros and Texas Rangers minor league systems from 2003 to 2008. He also played for the Yomiuri Giants and Fukuoka SoftBan ...
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 2004, Ishle Yi Park became first female and the first
Korean American Korean Americans () are Americans of full or partial Korean ethnic descent. While the broader term Overseas Korean in America () may refer to all ethnic Koreans residing in the United States, the specific designation of Korean American impli ...
poet laureate of the
New York City borough The boroughs of New York City are the five major governmental districts that comprise New York City. They are the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, and Staten Island. Each borough is coextensive with a respective county of the State of New ...
of
Queens Queens is the largest by area of the Boroughs of New York City, five boroughs of New York City, coextensive with Queens County, in the U.S. state of New York (state), New York. Located near the western end of Long Island, it is bordered by the ...
. In 2016, Governor Cuomo also named
Joseph Tusiani Joseph Tusiani (January 14, 1924 – April 11, 2020) was an Italian-American poet, translator, and novelist. He served as a professor emeritus of languages and literature at Lehman College and was named New York State Poet Laureate Emeritus in 2 ...
Poet Laureate Emeritus.


North Carolina

The 1935
General Assembly A general assembly or general meeting is a meeting of all the members of an organization or shareholders of a company. Specific examples of general assembly include: Churches * General Assembly (presbyterian church), the highest court of presby ...
created the office of state poet laureate and empowers the Governor to appoint a
North Carolina Poet Laureate The North Carolina poet laureate is the poet laureate for the U.S. state of North Carolina. At first a life appointment, the term of office is now two years. The program is run by the North Carolina Arts Council. Laureates are appointed by the go ...
.
Jaki Shelton Green Jaki Shelton Green is an American poet and was appointed North Carolina Poet Laureate in 2018. In November 2009, she was named the first Piedmont Laureate by a collection of Triangle-area arts councils. She currently resides in Mebane, North Caro ...
has been North Carolina's Poet Laureate since 2018.


Cities

*
Carrboro, North Carolina Carrboro is a town in Orange County, North Carolina, Orange County in the U.S. state of North Carolina. The population was 21,295 at the 2020 United States census, 2020 census.
named Liza Wolff-Francis as its eighth poet laureate in 2022. *
Charlotte, North Carolina Charlotte ( ) is the List of municipalities in North Carolina, most populous city in the U.S. state of North Carolina and the county seat of Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, Mecklenburg County. The population was 874,579 at the 2020 United ...
chose Jay Ward as its first poet laureate in 2022. The City also named their first youth poet laureate, Vanessa Hunter, in 2024. * The city of
Durham, North Carolina Durham ( ) is a city in the U.S. state of North Carolina and the county seat of Durham County, North Carolina, Durham County. Small portions of the city limits extend into Orange County, North Carolina, Orange County and Wake County, North Carol ...
, selected DJ Rogers as its first poet laureate in 2022. *
Greensboro, North Carolina Greensboro (; ) is a city in Guilford County, North Carolina, United States, and its county seat. At the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, its population was 299,035; it was estimated to be 307,381 in 2024. It is the List of municipalitie ...
began its poet laureate program in 2024 naming Josephus Thompson III as the first to hold the position.


North Dakota

Corbin A. Waldron was the first poet laureate of North Dakota from 1957 to 1978. The position was later 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'', ''H ...
, who was appointed in 1995 and served until his death in 2022. The current poet laureate of North Dakota is Dr. Denise Lajimodiere.


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. Its offices are in the Rhodes State Office Tower in Columbus, Ohio. History Established in 1965, its mission is to "foster and encourage the development of the arts and as ...
provides a list of candidates to the governor for selection to serve a two-year term, with the possibility of reappointment. Dr.
Amit Majmudar Amit Majmudar (born 1979) is an American novelist and poet. In 2015, he was named the first Poet Laureate of Ohio. Life Majmudar, a son of Indian immigrants, grew up in the Cleveland area. He earned a BS at the University of Akron and an MD at N ...
of
Dublin, Ohio Dublin is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio. A suburb of Columbus, Ohio, Columbus, it falls within the jurisdictions of Franklin County, Ohio, Franklin, Delaware County, Ohio, Delaware, Union County, Ohio, Union, and Madison County, Ohio, Madison ...
, was named the first state Poet Laureate by Gov.
John Kasich John Richard Kasich Jr. ( ; born May 13, 1952) is an American politician and author who was the 69th governor of Ohio from 2011 to 2019, a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from 1983 to 2001, and a Republican candidate for the pre ...
, for a two-year term beginning January 1, 2016.
Kari Gunter-Seymour Kari or KARI may refer to: Places *Kari, Jhunjhunu, a village in Rajasthan, India * , a village in Mouhoun Province, Burkina Faso * Kari, Tikamgarh, a town in Madhya Pradesh, India * Kari, Iran, a village in Bushehr Province, Iran * Kari-ye Bozorg ...
is the current Poet Laureate of Ohio. Her term began on June 10, 2020.


Oklahoma

Oklahoma has appointed poets laureate since 1923. The state of Oklahoma named Violet McDougal its first poet laureate in 1923. Joe Kreger who first served from 1998 to 2001 was appointed a second term as Oklahoma's poet laureate from 2021 to 2022. The current poet laureate of Oklahoma is Jay Snider.


Cities

*
Norman, Oklahoma Norman () is the List of municipalities in Oklahoma, 3rd most populous city in the U.S. state of Oklahoma, with a population of 128,026 as of the 2020 United States census, 2020 census. It is the most populous city and the county seat of Clevel ...
, selected its first poet laureate, Dr. Julie Ann Ward, in April 2022. Norman is the first city in Oklahoma to have its own poet laureate.


Oregon

The position of
Oregon Poet Laureate The position of Oregon Poet Laureate has existed since 1923. The incumbent is Ellen Waterston. Oregon poets laureate are appointed by the governor of Oregon. Since 2006, the poet laureate program is administered by the Oregon Cultural Trust. Li ...
was established in 1923, appointing
Edwin Markham Edwin Markham (born Charles Edward Anson Markham; April 23, 1852 – March 7, 1940) was an American poet. From 1923 to 1931 he was Poet Laureate of Oregon. Early life and education Edwin Markham was born in Oregon City, Oregon Oregon Cit ...
as the first poet laureate.
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." Ear ...
was appointed to the position in 2020 by Governor Kate Brown.


Pennsylvania

Florence Van Leer Earle Coates was elected poet laureate of Pennsylvania by the state Federation of Women's Clubs in 1915. 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 emeritus of the International Poetry Forum in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He is also McAnulty Distinguished Professor of English Emeritus at ...
, in 1993. He held the position for ten years before it was eliminated by Governor Bob Casey.


Counties

*
Bucks County Bucks County is a county in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. As of the 2020 census, the population was 646,538, making it the fourth-most populous county in Pennsylvania. Its county seat is Doylestown. The county is named after the English ...
named Nicole Steinberg first poet laureate in 2021. * Lancaster County's Lancaster Literary Guild named Barbara Buckman Strasko the first poet laureate of the county.


Cities

*
Harrisburg Harrisburg ( ; ) is the List of capitals in the United States, capital city of the Commonwealth (U.S. state), U.S. commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat, seat of Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, Dauphin County. With a population of 50, ...
named Rick Kearns poet laureate in 2014. *
Philadelphia Philadelphia ( ), colloquially referred to as Philly, is the List of municipalities in Pennsylvania, most populous city in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania and the List of United States cities by population, sixth-most populous city in the Unit ...
named Airea D. Matthews poet laureate of the city in 2022. Her predecessors include Trapeta Mayson,
Raquel Salas Rivera Roque Raquel Salas Rivera (born 1985) is a bilingual Puerto Rican poet who writes in Spanish and English, focusing on the experience of being a migrant to the United States, the colonial status of Puerto Rico, and of identifying as a queer Puert ...
,
Sonia Sanchez Sonia Sanchez (born Wilsonia Benita Driver; September 8, 1934) is an American poet, writer, and professor. She was a leading figure in the Black Arts Movement and has written over a dozen books of poetry, as well as short stories, critical essays ...
,
Frank Sherlock Frank Sherlock is an American poet, and second Poet Laureate of Philadelphia. He was a 2013 Pew Fellow in the Arts. Life Frank Sherlock was the 2014–15 Poet Laureate of Philadelphia, and a 2013 Pew Fellow in the Arts for Literature. His most ...
, and Yolanda Wisher


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.


South Carolina

Archibald Rutledge was the first poet laureate of South Carolina, serving from 1934 to 1973. 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 from 2013 to 2019, and as the 115th govern ...
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 appointment was indefinite, "during the pleasure of the Governor", until 2015, when the term was set at four years. Past appointees have lifetime ''
emeritus ''Emeritus/Emerita'' () is an honorary title granted to someone who retires from a position of distinction, most commonly an academic faculty position, but is allowed to continue using the previous title, as in "professor emeritus". In some c ...
'' status. The current poet laureate is Bruce Roseland. "It's an honor to stand among those who have come before me," Roseland said. "There are many people in South Dakota who write as well as I do and most of them write better. To represent South Dakota in this form of writing poetry … I'm very happy about it. I hope to be an ambassador."


Tennessee

"Pek" Gunn, a native of Bold Spring, Tennessee, and a close friend and politically ally of former
Governor of Tennessee The governor of Tennessee is the head of government of the U.S. state of Tennessee and the commander-in-chief of the U.S. state, state's Tennessee Military Department, military forces. The governor is the only official in the Government of Tenne ...
Frank Clement, was the first Tennessean given the title of State Poet Laureate by the 87th
Tennessee General Assembly The Tennessee General Assembly (TNGA) is the state legislature (United States), state legislature of the U.S. state of Tennessee. It is a part-time bicameral legislature consisting of a Tennessee Senate, Senate and a Tennessee House of Representa ...
in the 1971–1972 session. He died in 1995. Margaret Britton Vaughn is the current Poet Laureate, she is serving her lifetime appointment since 1999. The current poet laureate of Tennessee is Margaret Britton Vaughn was appointed in 1999.


Texas

The state of
Texas Texas ( , ; or ) is the most populous U.S. state, state in the South Central United States, South Central region of the United States. It borders Louisiana to the east, Arkansas to the northeast, Oklahoma to the north, New Mexico to the we ...
established a Poet Laureate in 1932 ( historical list of Texas poets laureate). The term as of 2016 is one year. The current poet laureate of Texas is Amanda Johnston, appointed in 2023.


Cities

* In April 2012,
San Antonio San Antonio ( ; Spanish for " Saint Anthony") is a city in the U.S. state of Texas and the most populous city in Greater San Antonio. San Antonio is the third-largest metropolitan area in Texas and the 24th-largest metropolitan area in the ...
became the first Texas city to appoint a Poet Laureate
Carmen Tafolla
The San Antonio Poet Laureate serves a two-year term.
Laurie Ann Guerrero Laurie Ann Guerrero is a Chicana poet from San Antonio, Texas. She was the poet laureate of San Antonio from 2014 to 2016 and the Poet Laureate of Texas from 2016 to 2017. In the fall semester of 2017, she became the first writer-in-residence ...
was appointed on April 1, 2014.


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.


Vermont

Robert Frost Robert Lee Frost (March26, 1874January29, 1963) was an American poet. Known for his realistic depictions of rural life and his command of American Colloquialism, colloquial speech, Frost frequently wrote about settings from rural life in New E ...
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.


Virginia

The
Commonwealth of Virginia Virginia, officially the Commonwealth of Virginia, is a U.S. state, state in the Southeastern United States, Southeastern and Mid-Atlantic (United States), Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States between the East Coast of the United States ...
has appointed a Poet Laureate since December 18, 1936. The first was Carter Warner Wormeley, appointed for life. Appointments from 1942 until 1992 were for one year, with many reappointed for multiple terms. In 1992, the term was increased to two years. Since 1998 appointments are made from list of nominees presented by the Poetry Society of Virginia, established at the
College of William & Mary The College of William & Mary (abbreviated as W&M) is a public university, public research university in Williamsburg, Virginia, United States. Founded in 1693 under a royal charter issued by King William III of England, William III and Queen ...
in
Williamsburg, Virginia Williamsburg is an Independent city (United States), independent city in Virginia, United States. It had a population of 15,425 at the 2020 United States census, 2020 census. Located on the Virginia Peninsula, Williamsburg is in the northern par ...
, in 1923. The current Poet Laureate is Mattie Quesenberry Smith.


Washington

Poets Laureate of Washington are appointed for a two-year term by the
Governor of Washington The governor of Washington is the head of government of Washington and commander-in-chief of the state's military forces.WA Const. art. III, § 2. The officeholder has a duty to enforce state laws,WA Const. art. III, § 5. the power to either ...
. Although the Washington State Federation of Women's Clubs named Ella Higginson poet laureate in 1931, there was no official position until House Bill 1279 was signed into law in 2007. Samuel Green was named as Washington's first official Poet Laureate in 2007, and served until 2009. The position was unfilled for two years due to a budget shortfall, and resumed without state funding. Since 2023, the Poet Laureate of Washington has been Arianne True, a
Choctaw The Choctaw ( ) people are one of the Indigenous peoples of the Southeastern Woodlands of the United States, originally based in what is now Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. The Choctaw language is a Western Muskogean language. Today, Choct ...
and
Chickasaw The Chickasaw ( ) are an Indigenous people of the Southeastern Woodlands, United States. Their traditional territory was in northern Mississippi, northwestern and northern Alabama, western Tennessee and southwestern Kentucky. Their language is ...
writer and artist from
Tacoma Tacoma ( ) is the county seat of Pierce County, Washington, United States. A port city, it is situated along Washington's Puget Sound, southwest of Seattle, southwest of Bellevue, northeast of the state capital, Olympia, northwest of Mount ...
. She is the second Indigenous person to hold the post, following her predecessor Rena Priest of the
Lummi Nation The Lummi Nation ( ; Lummi dialect, Lummi: ' or '';'' officially known as the Lummi Tribe of the Lummi Reservation) is a Federally recognised tribe, federally-recognized tribe of primarily Lummi people. The Lummi Nation also includes some N ...
.


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.


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 politician who served as the 19th United States secretary of Health and Human Services from 2001 to 2005 in the Presidency of George W. Bush, cabinet of President of the United State ...
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 the position had been terminated. The Wisconsin Academy of Sciences, Arts & Letters assumed the role of the commission in May of that year.


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.


Territories


American Samoa

John Enright was identified by ''Samoa News'' as the Poet Laureate of
American Samoa American Samoa is an Territories of the United States, unincorporated and unorganized territory of the United States located in the Polynesia region of the Pacific Ocean, South Pacific Ocean. Centered on , it is southeast of the island count ...
.


Guam

In 1986, Frederick B. Quinene was named the Poet Laureate of
Guam Guam ( ; ) is an island that is an Territories of the United States, organized, unincorporated territory of the United States in the Micronesia subregion of the western Pacific Ocean. Guam's capital is Hagåtña, Guam, Hagåtña, and the most ...
.


Puerto Rico

Poets Laureate of
Puerto Rico ; abbreviated PR), officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, is a Government of Puerto Rico, self-governing Caribbean Geography of Puerto Rico, archipelago and island organized as an Territories of the United States, unincorporated territo ...
include
Juan Antonio Corretjer Juan Antonio Corretjer Montes (March 3, 1908 – January 19, 1985) was a Puerto Rican poet, journalist and pro-independence political activist opposing United States rule in Puerto Rico. Early years Corretjer (birth name: Juan Antonio C ...
and Diana Ramírez de Arellano (1958).


United States Virgin Islands

As early as 2003, Richard Schrader, Sr. has been identified as the Poet Laureate of the
U.S. Virgin Islands The United States Virgin Islands, officially the Virgin Islands of the United States, are a group of Caribbean islands and a territory of the United States. The islands are geographically part of the Virgin Islands archipelago and are located ...
.


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 (USA), also known as the United States (U.S.) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It is a federal republic of 50 U.S. state, states and a federal capital district, Washington, D.C. The 48 ...
Poet Laureate