Poet Laureate - Defining the Title
Poet Laureate - Defining the Title
By Rakesh Ramubhai Patel
Poet Laureate is the formal title used in both the United States and Britain. This term "laureate" is derived from the Latin word "laurea" (laurel). In ancient times, the laurel wreath was sacred to Apollo, the Greek god of music and poetry. Let us see what the title means and who are holding this prestigious title.
Who Was the First Official British Laureate?
The poet laureate, in Britain, is named by the sovereign as a member of the royal family and is charged with the making of suitable verses for court and state occasions. It was Ben Jonson who obviously fulfilled this role in 1616 under James I. But the first official British poet to get this title was John Dryden in 1668.
The Longest Tenancy of the Title held by Tennyson:
Poets were appointed to the post for life till 1999, when Andrew Motion was offered a ten-year term. The longest occupancy, from 1850 to 1896, was held by Lord Alfred Tennyson. The U.S. Congress made the office of poet laureate as poetry consultant to the Library of Congress in 1985.
Women Laureates:
The poet laureate holds the title for one year. And during this period of time, he or she needs to give lecture and one public poetry reading. Robert Penn Warren, in February 1986, was named first for this title. Though all the British laureates have been men, Mona Van Duyn became the first woman to hold the office in 1992. Rita Dove was the first black writer in 1993.
Rakesh Patel is an aspiring poet, freelance writer, self-published author and teacher. Read my blog http://englishliterature99.wordpress.com.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Rakesh_Ramubhai_Patel
http://EzineArticles.com/?Poet-Laureate---Defining-the-Title&id=3087829
By Rakesh Ramubhai Patel
Poet Laureate is the formal title used in both the United States and Britain. This term "laureate" is derived from the Latin word "laurea" (laurel). In ancient times, the laurel wreath was sacred to Apollo, the Greek god of music and poetry. Let us see what the title means and who are holding this prestigious title.
Who Was the First Official British Laureate?
The poet laureate, in Britain, is named by the sovereign as a member of the royal family and is charged with the making of suitable verses for court and state occasions. It was Ben Jonson who obviously fulfilled this role in 1616 under James I. But the first official British poet to get this title was John Dryden in 1668.
The Longest Tenancy of the Title held by Tennyson:
Poets were appointed to the post for life till 1999, when Andrew Motion was offered a ten-year term. The longest occupancy, from 1850 to 1896, was held by Lord Alfred Tennyson. The U.S. Congress made the office of poet laureate as poetry consultant to the Library of Congress in 1985.
Women Laureates:
The poet laureate holds the title for one year. And during this period of time, he or she needs to give lecture and one public poetry reading. Robert Penn Warren, in February 1986, was named first for this title. Though all the British laureates have been men, Mona Van Duyn became the first woman to hold the office in 1992. Rita Dove was the first black writer in 1993.
Rakesh Patel is an aspiring poet, freelance writer, self-published author and teacher. Read my blog http://englishliterature99.wordpress.com.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Rakesh_Ramubhai_Patel
http://EzineArticles.com/?Poet-Laureate---Defining-the-Title&id=3087829
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