A poet laureate (plural: poets laureate)[Robert Weiss, The Renaissance Discovery of Classical Antiquity (Oxford, 1973);Ernest Hatch Wilkins, The Making of the Canzoniere and Other Petrarchan Studies 1951:9-69, noted in Weiss 1973:32.] In Britain, the term dates from the appointment of Bernard André by Henry VII of England. The royal office of Poet Laureate in England dates from the appointment of John Dryden in 1668.
In modern times a poet laureate title may be conferred by an organization such as the Poetry Foundation, which designates a Young People's Poet Laureate, unconnected with the National Youth Poet Laureate and the United States Poet Laureate.
The office is also popular with regional and community groups. Examples include the Pikes Peak Poet Laureate,
Background
In
ancient Greece, the
bay laurel was used to form a crown or
wreath of honour for poets and heroes. The custom derives from the ancient myth of
Daphne (Daphne signifying "laurel" in Greek), and was revived in
Padua for Albertino Mussato,
[Robert Weiss, The Renaissance Discovery of Classical Antiquity (Oxford, 1973) 20.] followed by
Petrarch's own crowning ceremony in the audience hall of the medieval senatorial palazzo on the
Campidoglio on April 8, 1341.
[Ernest Hatch Wilkins, The Making of the Canzoniere and Other Petrarchan Studies 1951:9-69, noted in Weiss 1973:32.] Because the Renaissance figures who were attempting to revive the Classical tradition lacked detailed knowledge of the Roman precedent they were attempting to emulate, these ceremonies took on the character of doctoral candidatures.
[Weiss 1973.] In Persia, the poet laureate (
amīr- or
malek-al-šoʿarāʾ) carried artistic authority and were provided sources of income.
Since the office of poet laureate has become widely adopted, the term "laureate" has come to signify recognition for preeminence or superlative achievement (cf. Nobel laureate). A royal degree in rhetoric, poet laureate was awarded at European universities in the Middle Ages. The term therefore may refer to the holder of such a degree, which recognized skill in rhetoric, grammar, and language. During England's seventeenth century, the poet laureate served as the "court poet" of royalty, and was often called upon to celebrate state occasions until that role was abolished during the early 1800s.
In the Xhosa language, Imbongi YeSizwethe can be translated to mean either "poet laureate" or "national poet".
As of modern times, over a dozen national governments continue the poet laureate tradition. The Commonwealth of Nations even has its own position, and Selina Tusitala Marsh was appointed the inaugural Commonwealth Poet Laureate in 2025.
By continent
Africa
Algeria
In
Algeria, during the 11th century, Ibn Sharaf al-Qayrawani was the court poet of the Zīrids. Al-Thaghri Al-Tilimsani was appointed as a court poet during the
Zayyanid dynasty.
Burkina Faso
Boûbacar Tinguidji, a Fula
maabo, was appointed as the court poet of the Ruler of Dori.
Cameroon
Poets laureate of
Cameroon include René Philombé.
Cape Verde
Poets laureate of
Cape Verde include Eugénio Tavares.
Egypt
Ahmed Shawqi became
Egypt's Poet Laureate in 1894.
Eritrea
Poets laureate of
Eritrea include Reesom Haile.
Ethiopia
In
Ethiopia, the officially designated Laureate includes Tsegaye Gebre-Medhin. Tsegaye's award was granted in 1966 by His Majesty, Haile-Selasie II.
Gambia
Poets laureate of
The Gambia include
Lenrie Peters.
Ghana
Poets laureate of
Ghana include
Atukwei Okai.
[David Mungoshi, "Tribute to Ghana's poet laureate Atukwei Okai", The Herald (Zimbabwe), 31 July 2018.]
Kenya
Muyaka bin Haji al-Ghassaniy was the Poet Laureate of
Mombasa.
Lesotho
Poets laureate of
Lesotho include Joshua Pulumo Mohapeloa.
Liberia
Poets laureate for the Republic of
Liberia have included Roland T. Dempster, Melvin B. Tolson (1947), and Patricia Jabbeh Wesley.
Libya
Libya-born
Callimachus was appointed as an imperial court poet to Ptolemy II Philadelphus.
Madagascar
Poets laureate of
Madagascar include Jacques Rabemananjara.
Malawi
Poets laureate of
Malawi include
Jack Mapanje.
Mali
Poets laureate of
Mali include Ban Sumana Sisòkò.
Mauritania
Mohamed Ould Taleb was appointed as the official court poet during Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz's presidency in
Mauritania.
Mauritius
Poets laureate of
Mauritius include Édouard Maunick.
Morocco
In the 13th century, Abdelaziz al-Malzuzi was the court poet of Abu Yahya ibn Abd al-Haqq. During the 16th-17th centuries in
Morocco's history, Abd al-Aziz al-Fishtali was appointed as the poet laureate of the Sultan
Ahmad al-Mansur.
Niger
Burkina Faso-born Boûbacar Tinguidji, a Fula
maabo, was appointed as the court poet of the
Songhai people chief Mossi Gaidou in
Dargol.
Nigeria
Poets laureate of
Nigeria include Obo Aba Hisanjani and
Niyi Osundare.
[FEATURE: Inside Niyi Osundare's book of truth as trouble. (2024, May 30). Premium Times (Abuja, Nigeria). Available from NewsBank: Access World News: https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/document-view?p=AWNB&docref=news/1996441716A07330.] Mamman Jiya Vatsa was the inaugural poet laureate of
Abuja.
was the Poet Laureate of the
Niger Delta.
Rwanda
During the 18th century in
Rwanda's history, Semidogoro was the official court poet of Mibambwe III Mutabazi II Sentabyo.
Sekarama was the official court poet during the reigns of Kigeli IV Rwabugiri and Mutara III Rudahigwa.
Poets laureate of
Rwanda include Edouard Bamporiki Uwayo.
Senegal
Poets laureate of
Senegal include Léopold Sédar Senghor and
Robert Hayden (1966).
Sierra Leone
Poets laureate of
Sierra Leone include the Italian authors
Roberto Malini and
Dario Picciau.
South Africa
In the 19th century, Magolwane kaMkhathini Jiyane was the court poet of
Shaka.
During the 20th century, David Livingstone Phakamile (Yali-Manisi) was the poet laureate of
Kaiser Matanzima.
Poets laureate of
South Africa include
Mazisi Kunene (2005), Keorapetse Kgositsile (2006), and Mongane Wally Serote (2018– ).
Sudan
During the 1800s in
Sudan, Al U'aysir was the court poet (
inqīb) of the Ja'alin tribe King
Mek Nimr.
Tanzania
Poets laureate of
Tanzania include Saadani Kandoro (1969).
Tunisia
During the 10th century, Muhammad ibn Hani al-Andalusi al-Azdi was appointed as the chief court poet to the
Fatimid Caliph al-Mu'izz.
Also, in the 10th century, Ali ibn Muhammad al-Iyadi was the court poet of
Fatimid caliphs al-Qa'im, al-Mansur, and al-Mu'izz. Poets laureate of
Tunisia include Qasim Shabi.
Uganda
Poets laureate of
Uganda include Akena Adoko.
Zimbabwe
Ginyilitshe Hlabangana was the official poet laureate (or
Imbongi YeNkosi) for the
Mthwakazi (now called
Matabeleland).
Asia
Afghanistan
During the 10–11th century,
Unsuri was made poet laureate by Sultan Maḥmūd of Ghazna.
Modern poets laureate of
Afghanistan include Abdullah "Malik al-Shu'Ara" Qari, Sufi Abdul Bitab, and
Ustad Khalilullah Khalili.
Armenia
Poets laureate of
Armenia include
Avetik Isahakyan and Hovhannes Toumanian (1970).
Azerbaijan
In 1502,
Azerbaijan-born court poet Habibi earned the title "king of poets" from Safavid king
Ismail I. Poets laureate of
Azerbaijan include Bakhtiyar Vahabzadeh.
Bahrain
Bahrain-born Muḥammad Sharīf al-Shībānī served as the poet laureate of the court of
Abu Dhabi (c. 1967).
Bangladesh
During the 15th century, Zainuddin was appointed the court poet of
Bengal while under the patronage of Prince Yusuf Khan.
was the court poet of Sultan of Bengal, Ghiyasuddin Azam Shah. Sometime during the 15th-16th century, Shah Muhammad Saghir was the poet laureate of the Sultan of Bengal Ghiyasuddin Azam Shah.
, born in what is now modern day
Bangladesh, was officially appointed as the poet for the
Arakan court in
Myanmar (then ruled by King
Thiri Thudhamma).
[Sen, Sukumar (1993). Islami Bangla Sahitya (in Bengali), Kolkata: Ananda Publishers, , pp.23-33]
Brunei
Poets laureate of
Brunei include royal poet Omar Ali Saifuddien III.
Cambodia
Poets laureate of
Cambodia include Ind (1907–1924).
China
In Ancient China, Emperor Yuan of Han appointed
Shi You as the poet laureate.
During the
Tang dynasty,
He Zhizhang was appointed as the poet laureate of Emperor Ho Kwei.
was a court poet appointed during the
Yuan Dynasty.
Cyprus
During the 19th century, after the Turks invaded
Cyprus, Mufti Hilmi Efendi was appointed the poet laureate of Sultan
Mahmud II.
In 1980, the World Academy of Arts and Culture awarded
Cyprus-born
Costas Montis the title of Poet Laureate.
Georgia
Heraclius II of Georgia appointed
Sayat-Nova as his poet laureate at the court of
Tbilisi.
India
In
India, poets laureate were maintained at the royal courts beginning in ancient times.
For instance, in Ancient India,
Harisena was designated poet laureate by Emperor
Samudragupta.
During the 7th century,
Harsha proclaimed Bāṇabhaṭṭa as the poet laureate.
was made poet laureate by
Chola Empire Emperor
Kulottunga I.
In the 10th century, Ranna was the poet laureate of Western Chalukya Kings
Tailapa II and
Satyashraya.
[Kamath (2001), p45][Sastri (1955), p356] Adikavi Pampa was the court poet of Vemulavada Chalukya king
Arikesari II. Also, in the 10th century, Ponna received the title
Kavichakravarthi (poet laureate) and
Ubhaya-Chakravarthi (imperial poet in two languages) from Rashtrakuta king
Krishna III. Padmagupta Parimala was a Paramama court poet.
In the mid-11th century,
Nannaya was the poet-laureate of Rajaraja Narendra.
In the 15th century, Cherusseri Namboothiri was the court poet of Udaya Varma. During the 15th-16th centuries, Allasani Peddana was the poet laureate of Krishnadevaraya of Vijayanagara. In the 16th century, Shaikh Gadai Kamboh was the poet laureate in the court of Sultan of Sikandar Lodhi. In 1665, Nusrati was made a poet laureate by Sultan ʿAlī II (r. 1656–1672) of the ʿĀdil-Shāhī dynasty.[; ; .] During the Mughal Empire, Emperor Akbar made Birbal the poet laureate.
Mohammad Ibrahim Zauq was the poet laureate of the final Mughal Empire Emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar.
In the Indian subcontinent Kashmir, Mullah Nadiri was the poet laureate during the reign of Sultan Sikandar (1378–1416, reigned 1389–1413).
Andhra Pradesh
Sripada Krishnamurty Sastry was the first poet laureate of
Andhra Pradesh, India.
[p. 644, Land and people of Indian states and union territories : (in 36 volumes), by Shankarlal C. Bhatt, Gopal K. Bhargava, vol. 2, Kaplaz Publishers, 2006.] Dasarathi served as the court poet (
aasthana kavi) for the government of
Andhra Pradesh.
Jaisalmer
Alseedan ji Ratnu was the poet laureate (
raj-kavi) of
Jaisalmer State state.
Karnataka
In what was once the Western Chalukya Empire,
Nagavarma II was the poet laureate (
Katakacharya) by Chalukya King Jagadhekamalla.
[Narasimhacharya (1988), pp. 64–65, p. 19][Shastri (1955), p. 358][Kamath (2001), p. 115]
Kerala
K. C. Kesava Pillai was the Poet Laureate of
Travancore (located in present-day
Kerala state). Vallathol Narayana Menon was the Poet Laureate of
Kerala.
Madhya Pradesh
During the 15th century,
Raidhu (who was born in
Gwalior) was the poet laureate for the court of Dungar Singh and Kirti Singh.
Maharashtra
Bhaskar Ramchandra Tambe was the poet laureate of
Maharashtra.
Tamil Nadu
Kannadasan was the poet laureate of
Tamil Nadu at the time of his death.
Telegana
Sripada Krishna Sastry was the poet laureate during the 20th century.
Indonesia
In the 14th century,
Mpu Prapanca served as the poet laureate in the royal court of Emperor
Hayam Wuruk.
During the 18th century,
Yasadipura I served as the Poet Laureate of Surakarta Sunanate.
Iran
In the 11th century,
Iran-born Abu-al-Faraj Runi became a court poet during the
Ghaznavids.
Manuchehri was another court poet during the aforementioned period.
Qatran Tabrizi was the court poet of the dynasties of the
Rawadids and
Shaddadids. During the 13th century,
Khwaju Kermani was the official court poet of
Il-Khanid rulers Abu Sa'id Bahadur Khan and Arpa Ke'un, the
Mozaffarid Mubariz al-Din Muhammad, and Abu Ishaq Inju of the
Injuids dynasty.
was the court poet of the
Salghurids in
Shiraz. In the 14th century,
Salman Savaji was the court poet of the
Jalayirids.
During the Safavid dynasty, Vahshi Bafqi was the poet laureate of Ghiyat al-Din Mir Miran.
Mohammad-Taqi Bahar was the poet laureate of Mozaffar ad-Din Shah Qajar. He was born in Mashhad in 1884 (died 1951) and was a conservative figure among the modernists. He was appointed Poet Laureate by royal decree in 1903.
Iraq
In
Iraq's ancient history, Ibn 'Atiyah Jarir was the court poet of Ibn Yusuf al-Hajjaj during the Umayyad period.
Abd al-Malik Burhani was the poet laureate of
Sanjar under Malik Shāh I and
Sultan Sanjar.
Regarding cities,
Aban al-Lahiqi was the court poet of the
Barmakids in
Baghdad. Poets laureate of
Iraq include Muhammed Mahdi al-Jawahiri.
Israel
Poets laureate of
Israel include
Avigdor Hameiri and
Haim Gouri.
Japan
Kakinomoto no Hitomaro serve as the court poet of Empress Jitō. During the
Heian period, Ariwara no Yukihira,
Murasaki Shikibu, Fujiwara no Kintō and
Akazome Emon were court poets.
Poets laureate of Japan include Baron Takasaki Masamitsu. The current Princess of
Benin, Damarea Liao was named Japan's first 'National Youth Poet Laureate' in 2024.
[2]
Jordan
Poets laureate of
Jordan include
Haider Mahmoud.
Kazakhstan
Poets laureate of
Kazakhstan include Abdilda Tazhibaev.
Korea
During the 12th century, Jeong Ji-sang was appointed as a court poet of King Injong of Goryeo.
During the reign of Jungjong of Joseon in the 16th century, Yun Kyung was appointed as the court poet to the king.
Beginning around 1994, North Korea had 6 active poets laureate who worked in the epic genre.
Kuwait
Poets laureate of
Kuwait include Mulla Abdeen.
Kyrgyzstan
Poets laureate of
Kyrgyzstan include Chinghiz Aitmatov.
Laos
Poets laureate of
Laos include Nhouy Abhay.
Lebanon
During the
Shihab dynasty in
Lebanon, Nicola al-Turk was officially appointed as a court poet of Bashir Shihab II.
Malaysia
Poets laureate of
Malaysia include Muhammad Haji Salleh and Datuk
Zurinah Hassan (upon her becoming a Malaysian National Laureate in 2015).
In the 20th century, Raja Haji Yahya was designed by the High Commissioner of the Malay States as the Poet Laureate of
Perak.
Maldives
Poets laureate of the
Maldives include Sheikh Mohamed Jamaluddin (c. 1890), who also served as a judge.
Mongolia
Poets laureate of
Mongolia include Ke Ming.
Saichungga was the Poet Laureate of
Inner Mongolia.
Myanmar
In ancient
Myanmar, there were kings who bestowed the title of
nawade to the poets laureate. However, according to Kaung (2011), two nawades are often discussed in Burmese literature: Nawadegyi (1498–1588; Prome Nawade) and Dutiya (1756–1840; Wetmasut Nawade).
Other historical figures include U Shun, who was appointed as a court poet to King Bagyidaw during the Konbaung dynasty of Burma.[His specific ministerial title was Away-Yauk-Min, ( SEAlang Library Burmese Dictionary)] Later, in the country's history, Soe Nyunt was appointed as the Poet Laureate of Myanmar.
Nepal
Poets laureate of
Nepal include
Lekhnath Paudyal and Laxmi Prasad Devkota.
Oman
In
Oman, Al-Sitali served as the poet laureate during the
Nabhani dynasty.
Pakistan
During the 18th century, Jam Durrak was appointed as the poet laureate of the royal court of Mir Nasir Khan I.
Later in Pakistan's history, Poets laureate of
Pakistan would include Hafeez Jalandhari.
Philippines
Poet Laureate of the
Philippines include Cecilio Apóstol, Alberto Segismundo Cruz (1945), and
Amado Yuzon (1959).
For cities, Abdon Balde Jr. became the Poet Laureate of
Albay in 2012.
Saudi Arabia
Poets laureate of
Saudi Arabia include Ahmed Ibrahim al-Ghazzawi
.
Sri Lanka
Poets laureate of
Sri Lanka include Thotagamuwe Sri Rahula Thera, who lived during the 15th century.
Syria
During the 10th century,
Al-Mutanabbi was the poet laureate at the court of the
Hamdanid emir
Sayf al-Dawla in
Aleppo.
In the 12th century, during the Nizari Ismaili era in
Masyaf, Mazyad al-Hilli al-Asadi was the poet laureate of Rashid ad-Din Sinan.
Taiwan
In 1963, Jun-an (Wei Qing-de) was named the poet laureate of
Taiwan by the United Poets Laureate International.
The organization was founded by Taiwanese poet Zhong Dingwen and Filipino poet
Amado Yuzon.
In 2004, Taiwanese
Yu Hsi was awarded Poet Laureate by the Seoul World Academy of Arts and Culture.
Tajikistan
In ancient times,
Tajikistan-born
Rudaki became the poet laureate in the royal court of
Ahmad Samani.
Thailand
Si Prat serve as the court poet of
King Narai during the 17th century. Poets laureate of
Thailand include
Sunthorn Phu.
Turkey
During the 12th century, Nicholas Kallikles was the court poet of the
Byzantine Empire court in
Constantinople during the reigns of Alexios I Komnenos. In 1302, Safi al-Din al-Hilli served as the court poet in
Mardin under the
Artuqids. Mehmet Akif Ersoy (b. 1873–d. December 27, 1936), a famous poet, was the Poet-Laureate of
Turkey. He composed the poem to be the National Anthem of the Turkish Republic that written in 1921. Original name of the poem is "İstiklal Marşı"
Turkmenistan
In the 12th century, Rashid al-Din Vatvat became the poet laurete of the court in
Konye-Urgench under
Il-Arslan (in what is now
Turkmenistan). Poets laureate of
Turkmenistan include
Gozel Shagulyeva.
United Arab Emirates
Poets laureate of the United Arab Emirates include Ousha bint Khalifa Al Suwaidi.
Uzbekistan
In the 14th century,
Uzbekistan-born Abu Sulayman Banakati was appointed poet laureate of
Ghazan Khan court. In the 14th-15th centuries,
Uzbekistan-born Khoja Fakhriddin Ismatullah ibn Masud Ismat Bukhari was the poet laureate in the royal courts of Jalal-ud-Din Khalji and
Ulugh Beg.
In later history, poets laureate of
Uzbekistan include Muhammad Ali and Śukrullo.
Vietnam
During the 16th century, Nguyễn Bỉnh Khiêm became the first Poet Laureate of
Vietnam.
Tố Hữu was the poet laureate of
North Vietnam and the Communist Party of Vietnam, and remained so even after his political decline.
Yemen
Ibn 'Aliwa-Ibn Hayyan was the court poet of the
Banu Hamdan in northern
Yemen.
During the 15th century, Abu Bakr al-Aydarus became the patron saint and Poet Laureate of
Aden.
Europe
Albania
During the 15th-16th centuries,
Albania-born Mesihi of Prishtina was appointed as the court poet of the
Grand Vizier Khadim Ali Pasha.
In 2021, Rudolf Marku became the first Poet Laureate of
Albania.
He was followed by Luljeta Lleshanaku.
Austria
Poets laureate of
Austria include Franz Grillparzer, Kurt Wildgans and
Franz Werfel.
For cities,
Paulus Melissus was made Poet Laureate of
Vienna in 1561.
Belarus
Poets Laureate of
Belarus include
Maksim Tank and Pimen Panchenko.
Belgium
Around 1914, several sources cited Marguerite Coppin as the Poet Laureate of
Belgium.
The first Poet Laureate of
Belgium, Charles Ducal, was chosen in 2014.
[Dutch-language poet Charles Ducal] He was followed by Laurence Vielle,
Els Moors,
Carl Norac,
and Mustafa Kör.
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Radovan Karadžić was the Poet Laureate of
Yugoslavia (particularly
Republika Srpska of Bosnia and Herzegovina).
Bulgaria
Poets laureate of
Bulgaria include
Venko Markovski.
Croatia
During the 15th-16th century, Elio Lampridio Cerva (Ilija Crijević) was appointed as the Poet Laureate of the Republic of Ragusa.
Poets laureate of
Croatia include
Vladimir Nazor.
For cities, Peter Menčetić was the Poet Laureate of
Dubrovnik.
Czech Republic
In 1596, Bartholomaeus Bilovius was made Poet Laureate of
Prague due in part to his royal connections.
Johann Christian Alois Mickl was crowned the Poet Laureate of Prague around 1730.
Denmark
In the 16th century,
Hieronymus Osius was appointed the poet laureate by King Christian III of Denmark.
Poets laureate of
Denmark include Christian Winther.
Estonia
Poets laureate of
Estonia include
Jaan Kaplinski.
Finland
Poets laureate of
Finland include
Zachris Topelius.
France
Around 1324, Arnaut Vidal de Castelnou d'Ari became the first Poet Laureate of the Consistori del Gay Saber. Poets laureate of
France include Publio Fausto Andrelini (1496),
Pierre Gringore, Mellin de Saint-Gelais (appointed c. 1523 by Francis I of France), François de Malherbe (c. 1576), Giambattista Marino (1615–1623), Charles Dumas (1903), André Corthis (1906) and
Paul Fort (1921).
Germany
The first known Poet Laureate of the
German Empire is Conradus Celtes Protuccius (c. 1466). He was succeeded by Matthäus Zuber, Adam Schröter (1560),
Johann Heermann (1608), Johannes Paulus Crusius (1616),
Johann Rist (1644), Johann Georg Ahle (1680),
Apostolo Zeno and Pietro Metastasio (1729) among others.
Georg Christian Lehms was the court poet in
Darmstadt, and
Salomon Franck was a court poet during the 18th century. Regarding other cities, in the 1700s, Sidonia Hedwig Zäunemann was appointed as the Poet Laureate of Göttingen.
Poets laureate of
Nazi Germany include
Hanns Johst from 1935 to 1946. was declared the Stadtschreiber of three different cities in Germany:
Rheinsberg in 1999,
in 2004,
and
Trier in 2007.
Greece
In the 6th century, Simonides of Ceos was appointed as the poet laureate of the Scopadae and Aleuadae.
In the 12th century, Theodore Prodromos was appointed as the court poet during the reigns of John II Komnenos (1118–1143) and Manuel I Komnenos (1143–1180).
Greece's modern poets laureate include Spyros Matsoukas (c. 1909) and
Kostis Palamas.
Holy See
have several times named poets laureate, but the practice has been irregular.
Hungary
Poets laureate of
Hungary include János Arany and Zsófia Balla (2018).
Iceland
In the 10th century, Hallfreðr vandræðaskáld was the
court poet (
skald) first of Hákon Sigurðarson, then of Óláfr Tryggvason and finally of Eiríkr Hákonarson. Eilífr Goðrúnarson was another court poet of Hákon Sigurðarson. Also, in the 10th century, Tindr Hallkelsson was the earl Hákon Sigurðarson. In the 11th century, Sigvatr Þórðarson was the court poet of King Olaf II of Norway, Canute the Great, Magnus the Good and
Anund Jacob. Also, in the 11th century, Þórarinn loftunga was the court poet of King
Canute and Sveinn Knútsson. Other 11th century court poets include Þjóðólfr Arnórsson and Arnórr jarlaskáld. Poets laureate of
Iceland include Einar Benediktsson and Stephan G. Stephansson.
Ireland
The Kingdom of Ireland had a poet laureate; the last holder of the title was
Robert Jephson, who died in 1803.
[Hugh Montgomery-Massingberd, Burke's Irish Family Records (1976) p. 634 .]
The closest modern equivalent in Ireland is the title Saoi "wise held by up to seven members at a time of Aosdána, an official body of those engaged in fine arts, literature, and music. Poets awarded the title include Máire Mhac an tSaoi, Anthony Cronin, and Seamus Heaney. In terms of districts, Rachael Hegarty is the Poet Laureate of Dublin 1.
Italy
During the 13th century,
France-born Raimbaut de Vaqueiras served as the court poet of Boniface I of Montferrat. Poets laureate of
Italy include Albertino Mussato,
Petrarch (1341), Camillo Querno (1514),
Torquato Tasso (1595), Maria Maddalena Morelli Fernandez (1776) and
Giovanni Prati (1849).
[Lindon 2005, n.p.] In 1452, Niccolò Perotti was made Poet Laureate of
Bologna.
[Egmont Lee, Sixtus IV and men of letters (Ed. di Storia e Letteratura, 1970), page 88.] In the 16th century, Bernardo Bellincioni was appointed as the court poet for Lorenzo the Magnificent in
Florence and
Ludovico Sforza.
Latvia
Jānis Sudrabkalns was the Poet Laureate of Latvian SSR.
Lithuania
Poets laureate of
Lithuania include Bernardas Brazdzionis and Kornelijus Platelis.
Luxembourg
In 1555,
Luxembourg-born Nicolaus Mameranus was crowned poet laureate by Charles V.
Malta
In 2023, Maria Grech Ganado became the inaugural Poet Laureate of
Malta.
Moldova
Moldova-born Adrian Păunescu was the poet laureate of
Romanians politician Nicolae Ceaușescu.
Montenegro
Poets laureate of
Montenegro include Tomo Joshov Vulkichevich.
Netherlands
The unofficial Poet Laureate of
Netherlands is
Tsead Bruinja as
Dichter des Vaderlands (Poet of the Fatherland). The previous laureate was Ester Naomi Perquin.
Gerrit Komrij was the first
Dichter des Vaderlands. The title was created by Dutch media. In terms of cities,
Hester Knibbe served as the Poet Laureate of
Rotterdam.
Norway
During the 9th century, Þorbjǫrn hornklofi was appointed as a court poet (
skald) of
King Harald Fairhair. In the 11th century, Valgarðr á Velli was the court poet of King
Harald Hardrada of Norway. Poets laureate of
Norway include
Arnold Eidslott (1986–2018).
Poland
Poets laureate of
Poland were appointed so by Popes:
Klemens Janicki (Pope Paul III; 1540), Adam Schröter (Pope Pius IV; 1564), and Maciej Kazimierz Sarbiewski (Pope Urban VIII, 1622).
-born Carlo Sigismondo Capece was the court poet of Queen Maria Casimira of Poland.
Portugal
In 1769,
Italy-born Gaetano Martinelli was appointed as the court poet of Joseph I of Portugal and his daughter Maria I. Poets laureate of
Portugal include
Gil Vicente and Garcia de Resende.
Romania
Poets laureate of
Romania include Vasile Alecsandri (1848–1881) and
Octavian Goga.
Russia
In the 18th century,
Vasily Zhukovsky was a court poet during the
Russian Empire. Poets laureate of
Russia include Gavrila Derzhavin and Mikhail Sholokhov
. In 1923, Mӓjit Nurghӓniulї Ghafuri was appointed the Poet Laureate of Bashkir Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic.
San Marino
Poets laureate of
San Marino include
Valery Larbaud.
Serbia
Poets laureate of
Serbia include the following:
-
Matija Bećković
-
Charles Simić
-
Slobodan Selenić
-
Jovan Dučić
Slovakia
Poets laureate of
Slovakia include Pavol Országh Hviezdoslav.
Slovenia
Poets laureate of
Slovenia include France Prešeren.
Spain
Mu'min ibn Said was the court poet of Córdoba under Muhammad I (d. 886) an.
In the 11th century in
Spain, Ibn Darraj al-Qastalli was appointed as the court poet of
Almanzor.
During the 13th century, Cerverí de Girona was appointed as the court poet of James the Conqueror and Peter the Great. Poets Laureate of
Spain include Juan Eugenio Hartzenbusch (1869), José Zorrilla y Moral (1889), and Carolina Coronado.
José María Pemán was designated as the Poet Laureate of the
Francoist Spain.
Sweden
Poets laureate of
Sweden include Pehr Henrik Ling and Verner von Heidenstam (1916).
Switzerland
In 1512,
Switzerland-born
Heinrich Glarean was appointed a poet laureate by Emperor Maximilian I.
Ukraine
Stanisław Trembecki was the poet laureate in the court of
Tulchyn (a region now located in modern-day
Ukraine).
In the 1940s, Oleksandr Korniychuk was the Poet Laureate of Soviet-controlled
Ukraine.
For cities, Sofia Vladimirovna was the Poet Laureate of
Henichesk.
United Kingdom
England
In England, the term "poet laureate" is restricted to the official office of Poet Laureate, attached to the royal household. However, no authoritative historical record exists of the office of Poet Laureate of
England.
The office developed from earlier practice when and poetaster were members of the king's retinue. Richard Cœur-de-Lion had a versificator regis (English: king's poet), Gulielmus Peregrinus (William the Pilgrim), and Henry III had a versificator named Master Henry. In the fifteenth century, John Kay, a versifier, described himself as Edward IV's "humble poet laureate". According to Notes and Queries (1876), King Henry I paid 10 shillings a year to a versificator regis.
Geoffrey Chaucer (1340–1400) was called Poet Laureate, being granted in 1389 an annual allowance of wine. W. Hamilton describes Chaucer, Gower, Kay, Andrew Bernard, John Skelton, Robert Whittington, Richard Edwards and Samuel Daniel as "volunteer Laureates".
John Skelton studied at the University of Oxford in the early 1480s and was advanced to the degree of "poet laureate" in 1488, when he joined the court of King Henry VII to tutor the future Henry VIII. The title of laureate was also conferred on him by the University of Louvain in 1492 and by the University of Cambridge in 1492–3.
But I pray mayster John Skelton, late created poete laureate in the unyversite of Oxenforde, to oversee and correct this sayd booke.
The academic use of the term laureate became associated again with royalty when King James I created a pension for Ben Jonson in 1617, although there is no formal record extant. He was succeeded by William Davenant.
The royal office Poet Laureate was officially conferred by letters patent on John Dryden in 1668, after Davenant's death, and the post became a regular institution. There are other, non-official, laureate titles, such as the commercially sponsored "Children's Laureate" for an "eminent writer or illustrator of children's books to celebrate outstanding achievement in their field",
Scotland
Scotland has a long tradition of
and poetry.
Iain Lom, the
Scottish Gaelic bard, was appointed poet laureate in
Scotland by King Charles II of England, Scotland and Ireland on his restoration in 1660.
In 2004 the Scottish Parliament appointed Professor Edwin Morgan as the first Makar or National Poet for Scotland. On his death in January 2011 he was succeeded by
Liz Lochhead.
followed Lochhead as Makar in 2016,
and was then herself succeeded by
Kathleen Jamie, who became Scotland's fourth Makar in 2021.
In 2024, Pàdraig MacAoidh (Peter Mackay) became the fifth Makar.
For cities, in 2014, Jim Carruth was appointed as the Poet Laureate of
Glasgow.
Wales
Wales has had a long tradition of poets and bards under royal patronage, with extant writing from medieval royal poets and earlier. Gwalchmai ap Meilyr was the court poet of
Owain Gwynedd during the 12th century. Y Prydydd Bychan was a medieval Welsh court poet in the 13th century.
The office of National Poet for Wales was established in April 2005. The first holder, Gwyneth Lewis, was followed by Gwyn Thomas. The role of Bardd Plant Cymru, the Welsh-language children's poet laureate was established in 2000.
Territories
British Virgin Islands
Richard Georges became the inaugural Poet Laureate of the British Virgin Islands in 2020.
Cayman Islands
Poets laureate of the
Cayman Islands include Roy Bodden.
Falkland Islands
Poets laureate of the
Falkland Islands include Ron Reeves.
Isle of Man
Referred to as the Manx Bard, the individuals that have served in the position include Zoe Cannell, Michael Manning, Jordanne Kennaugh and Boakesey Closs.
North America
Aruba
In 2025, John Freddy Montoya was named
Aruba’s “Poet of the Fatherland” (
Dichter des Vaderlands).
Bahamas
Poets laureate of
The Bahamas include Henry Christopher Christie.
Barbados
The first Poet Laureate of
Barbados was chosen in 2018. Her name is Esther Phillips.
Canada
The Canadian Parliamentary Poet Laureate is appointed as an officer of the Library of Parliament. The position alternates between an English and French speaking laureate. Candidates must be able to write in both English and French, have a substantial publication history (including poetry) displaying literary excellence and have written work reflecting Canada, among other criteria.
Provincial and municipal poets laureate
Currently, only the provinces of
Ontario, Prince Edward Island,
Saskatchewan and
Yukon have appointed a poet laureate.
Alberta
British Columbia
Manitoba cities
New Brunswick cities
-
Poets laureate of Fredericton include Ian Letourneau (2016–2018), Jenna Lyn Albert (2019–2021) and Jordan Trethewey (2021–present).
-
Poets flyé-es (poets laureate) of Moncton include Kayla Geitzler (English) and Jean-Philippe Raîche (French) (2019–present)
-
Poets laureate of Sackville include Douglas Lochhead (2002–2011), Marilyn Lerch (2013–2017), Shoshanna Wingate (2019–2021) and Laura K. Watson (2021–present).
Newfoundland and Labrador cities
Nova Scotia cities
-
Rita Joe (1932 – 2007) was appointed Lifetime "Poet Laureate of the Mi'kmaq people" in Cape Breton.
Ontario
Prince Edward Island
Prince Edward Island appointed its first poet laureate, John Smith, in 2003.
[ CBC.ca Arts - P.E.I. appoints poet laureate]
Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan appointed its first poet laureate,
Glen Sorestad, in 2000.
-
Carol Rose GoldenEagle (2021–present)
-
Bruce Rice (2019 - 2021)
-
Brenda Schmidt (2017 - 2018)
-
Gerry Hill (2016 - 2017)
-
Judith Krause (2014 - 2015)
-
Don Kerr (2011 - 2013)
-
Robert Currie (2007 - 2010)
-
Louise B. Halfe (Sky Dancer) (2005 - 2006)
-
Glen Sorestad (2000 - 2004)
Yukon
Inaugural
Yukon Provincial Poet Laureate
PJ Yukon has held the office since 1994.
The Commissioner of Yukon established the Story Laureate of Yukon role in 2020.
Costa Rica
Poets laureate of
Costa Rica include Laureano Albán.
Cuba
are mainly celebrated in
Cuba, but there are poets laureate in the country's history. In 1860, Gertrudis Gómez de Avellaneda was made the Poet Laureate of
Havana.
Nicolás Guillén, who is mainly considered a national poet, became the Poet Laureate of
Havana in 1913.
Dominican Republic
Poets laureate of Dominican Republic include
Pedro Mir (1984).
El Salvador
Poets laureate of
El Salvador include Alberto Rivas Bonilla.
Guatemala
Poets laureate of
Guatemala include Osmundo Arriola and Máximo Soto Hall.
Haiti
Poets laureate of
Haiti include Jean-Fernand Brierre.
Honduras
In 1846, José Trinidad Reyes was appointed the Poet Laureate of
Honduras.
His successors include Froylán Turcios (c. 1922).
Jamaica
Thomas MacDermot was the first poet laureate of
Jamaica during colonial times, followed by J. E. Clare McFarlane.
was the first poet laureate of Jamaica upon its independence (2014–2017), followed by
Lorna Goodison (2017–2020)
and
Olive Senior (2021–2024).
The current poet laureate is
Kwame Dawes (2024–2027).
Martinique
Poets laureate of
Martinique include Daniel Thaly.
Mexico
In the 15th century, Nezahualcoyotl was the Poet Laureate of the
Aztecs.
Poets laureate of
Mexico include
Guillermo Prieto (1890), Juan de Dios Peza, and Rafael de Zayas Enriquez.
Ramón Modesto López Velarde Berumen was the Poet Laureate of Jerez de García Salinas,
Zacatecas.
Enrique González Martínez was the Poet Laureate of
Mexico City.
Félix Martínez Dolz was the Poet Laureate of
Oaxaca.
In 2019, Gerardo de Jesús Monroy became the Poet Laureate of Torreón,
Coahuila.
Nicaragua
Poets laureate of
Nicaragua include Agenor Argüello and Juan de Dios Vanegas.
Panama
Poets laureate of
Panama include
Enrique Geenzier.
Saint Lucia
laureate of
Saint Lucia include
Derek Walcott.
Trinidad and Tobago
Paul-Keens Douglas became the inaugural Poet Laureate of Trinidad and Tobago in 2017.
In 2002, Eintou Pearl Springer was named the Poet Laureate of Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago.
[Emrit, Ronald C., "Pearl Eintou Springer", Best of Trinidad.] The inaugural Poet Laureate of the Port of Spain was Anson Gonzalez.
United States
The United States Library of Congress appointed a Consultant in Poetry to the Library of Congress from 1937 to 1984. An Act of Congress changed the name in 1985 to
Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry to the Library of Congress.
Poets laureate receive a US$35,000 stipend and are given the responsibility of overseeing an ongoing series of poetry readings and lectures at the library, and a charge to promote poetry. No other duties are specified, and laureates are not required to compose for government events or in praise of government officials. However, after the September 11 terrorist attacks, then poet laureate Billy Collins was asked to write a poem to be read in front of a special joint session of Congress. Collins wrote "The Names", which he read on September 6, 2002, and which is available in streaming audio and video.
Poets laureate of the United States include Ada Limón, Joy Harjo, Tracy K. Smith and Juan Felipe Herrera. Amanda Gorman was the United States's first National Youth Poet Laureate appointed in 2017.
A number of American state legislatures have also created an office of poet laureate. The holders may be locally or nationally prominent. The U.S. states of New Jersey, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania do not have positions, while South Dakota and South Carolina's positions are currently vacant.
Oceania
Australia
On January 30, 2023, at the launch of 'Revive',
Australia's new cultural policy, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced "the establishment of a poet laureate for Australia".
Before 2023, Australia had not had an official poet laureate scheme, despite past suggestions.
In 1818, former convict Michael Massey Robinson was paid by colony governor Lachlan Macquarie for services as poet laureate.
Over the years, other poets have been nominated as worthy of such a title, including James Brunton Stephens (1835–1902),
(1864–1941),
and Les Murray (1938–2019).
Fiji
Poets laureate of
Fiji include Kamla Prasad Mishra.
Kiribati
Poets laureate of
Kiribati include Danny Wilson.
New Zealand
New Zealand has had an official poet laureate since 1998. Originally sponsored by Te Mata vineyards and known as the Te Mata Estate Poet Laureate, the award is now administered by the National Library of New Zealand and the holder is called New Zealand Poet Laureate. The term of office is two years. The symbol of office is a
Tokotoko, a carved wooden ceremonial orator's staff.
The first holder was Bill Manhire, in 1998–99, then Hone Tuwhare (2000–01), Elizabeth Smither (2002–03), Brian Turner (2004–05), Jenny Bornholdt (2006–07), Michele Leggott (2008–09), Cilla McQueen (2009–11), Ian Wedde (2011–13), Vincent O'Sullivan (2013–15), C. K. Stead (2015–2017), Selina Tusitala Marsh (2017–2019), David Eggleton (2019–2021) and Chris Tse (2022–2024).
Papua New Guinea
Allan Natachee was proclaimed the Poet Laureate of Papua New Guinea by the United Poets Laureate International.
Tonga
Poets laureate of
Tonga include Noble Tu'ivakanō (Siaosi Kiu Ngalumoetutulu Kiutauivailahi Kao).
South America
Argentina
Poets laureate of
Argentina include Olegario Victor Andrade and Carlos Guido y Spano.
Bolivia
Poets laureate of
Bolivia include Javier del Granado.
Brazil
Poets laureate of
Brazil include Guilherme de Almeida.
Chile
Poets laureate of
Chile include Galvarino Merino Duarte (c. 1983).
Colombia
Poets laureate of
Colombia include Antonio José Restrepo.
Ecuador
Poets laureate of
Ecuador include Remigio Crespo Toral (1917), Pablo Hannibal Vela (1951), and José María Egas (1976).
Guyana
Poets laureate of
Guyana include A.J. Seymour.
Paraguay
Poets laureate of
Paraguay include
Alejandro Guanes.
Peru
Poets laureate of
Peru include Pedro Peralta y Barnuevo, José Santos Chocano (1922), and Dennis Siluk.
Suriname
Poets laureate of
Suriname include Robin "Dobru" Ravales.
Uruguay
In 1929, the Palacio Legislativo of
Montevideo consecrated Juana de Ibarbourou as the "Poet Laureate of
Spanish America".
Venezuela
Poets laureate of
Venezuela include Heraclio Martín de la Guardia (c. 1878).
See also
External links
