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Posted by: Peter Armenti
Although 2013 is less than two weeks old, poetry—not typically known for garnering national attention—has already managed to capture headlines across the country with the announcement that Richard Blanco will serve as the inaugural poet for Barack Obama. Mr. Blanco will be only the fifth inaugural poet, an honor first given to former Consultant in …
Posted in: News and Events, Poets Laureate
Posted by: Peter Armenti
Poet Jack Gilbert, who touched the lives of countless readers through lucid, lyrical poems that explored classic themes such as love, death, and the good life, passed away Tuesday at age 87. Though Gilbert eschewed the literary limelight and would never have considered serving as U.S. Poet Laureate, he came to the Library at least …
Posted in: News and Events
Posted by: Peter Armenti
In a February blog post on State Poets Laureate I mentioned that From the Catbird Seat would periodically update readers when new State Poets are appointed. During the past five weeks there have been a flurry of changes to State Poet positions, making this an opportune time to give a brief roundup of recent activity. …
Posted in: News and Events, Poets Laureate
Posted by: Peter Armenti
As part of a multiyear “Celebration of the Book,” on Monday the Library of Congress launched the exhibit “Books That Shaped America.” The centerpiece of the exhibit is an initial display of 88 books deemed by the Library to be of cultural significance to America. You can view the list of books here. The list …
Posted in: News and Events
Posted by: Peter Armenti
NOTE: Follow this link on Friday, May 4, at 3 p. m. Eastern Time, to watch the live video conference with Philip Levine. Philip Levine concluded the Library’s literary season last night with a lecture to a packed audience in the Coolidge Auditorium. Levine’s talk, “My Forgotten Poets,” was a self-effacing tribute to the poets …
Posted in: News and Events, Poets Laureate