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Posted by: Robert Casper
As this year comes to an end, and a new one begins, I want to take a moment to remember a few people dear to the Poetry and Literature Center that passed away. Today I want to focus on two former Poets Laureate, Maxine Kumin and Mark Strand. I had the good fortune of meeting …
Posted in: News and Events, Poets Laureate
Posted by: Peter Armenti
Among the many materials in the Library’s Rare Book and Special Collections Division that focus on book design and fine printing are nearly two-dozen small chapbooks popularly known as Robert Frost‘s “Christmas Cards.” The chapbooks, first issued in 1929 and annually from 1934-1962, are collectible curiosities. While you might expect each one to feature a …
Posted in: Collections, Poets Laureate
Posted by: Robert Casper
The following is a cross-post from the Library of Congres Blog, from Senior Public Affairs Specialist Jennifer Gavin. Many larger-than-life figures have served as the Librarian of Congress. As the Library once again plays host to that seminal document affirming the rule of law, Magna Carta, today we shine a spotlight on the man who …
Posted in: Poets Laureate
Posted by: Peter Armenti
In the first-half of the 20th century, “newspaper poets” such as Edgar A. Guest and Anne Campbell published massively popular syndicated poetry columns that touched the lives of millions of readers. In succeeding decades the written poem, subject to a variety of cultural and technological changes, gradually faded from the pages of mainstream print media …
Posted in: Digital Resources, News and Events, Poets Laureate
Posted by: Robert Casper
On Thursday, September 25th, Charles Wright officially began his term as the 20th Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry at the Library of Congress with a reading in the historic Coolidge Auditorium. There was a host of media coverage before and after the reading, including the following: A preview of the reading, by Book World editor …
Posted in: News and Events, Poets Laureate, Uncategorized
Posted by: Robert Casper
In just a couple of days, 20th Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry Charles Wright will give his opening reading at the Library of Congress. I was thrilled to see Ron Charles at The Washington Post help spread the word, and even suggest that the Laureate wear a suit! Rumor has it that the acclaimed poet …
Posted in: News and Events, Poets Laureate
Posted by: Peter Armenti
By now readers of this blog are probably well aware of the swift rise and fast fall of erstwhile North Carolina Poet Laureate Valerie Macon. Macon was appointed North Carolina Poet Laureate by Governor Pat McCrory on July 11. The selection immediately drew criticism from North Carolina’s literary community, and soon afterwards by other state …
Posted in: Poets Laureate
Posted by: Peter Armenti
Shortly after I published Friday’s post on recent state poet laureate happenings I received an email alert that North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory had just appointed Valerie Macon the new N.C. poet laureate. So much for my timing! Macon succeeds Joseph Bathanti in the two-year position and is the state’s eighth poet laureate. Several media …
Posted in: Poets Laureate
Posted by: Peter Armenti
Since my last post on state poets laureate there have been only two significant state poet developments. First, on June 27 Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe appointed Ron Smith, Writer-in-Residence at St. Christopher’s School in Richmond, the poet laureate of Virginia. Smith succeeds Sofia Starnes in the post, and is Virginia’s 18th poet laureate. Second, Florida …
Posted in: Poets Laureate