Poet laureate << LAWR ee iht >> is the official poet of a state or nation. Since 1668, the king or queen of the country now known as the United Kingdom has appointed an official poet laureate. The poet laureate was appointed for life until 1999, when the term was limited to 10 years.
In the United States, Congress authorized a position called Consultant in Poetry to the Library of Congress in 1937. In 1985, the title of this position was changed to Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry. Each poet laureate is appointed by the Librarian of Congress and serves for a set term. The Librarian consults with the current laureate, former appointees, distinguished poetry critics, and staff in the Library’s Poetry and Literature Center in making the appointment. The poet laureate may be appointed to a second term.
Many states in the United States have poets laureate. In 1985, Congress authorized naming a poet laureate for the entire nation. In 1986, Robert Penn Warren was named to serve a set term as the first official U.S. poet laureate.
