What is a poet laureate?
A poet laureate is a poet officially appointed by a government or institution, typically expected to compose poems for special events and occasions.
Questions about Poet laureate
Short answers, pulled from the story.
Where did the tradition of crowning poets with laurel originate?
The custom originated in ancient Greece, where a wreath of laurel formed a crown of honor for poets and heroes. It derives from the myth of Apollo and Daphne, since Daphne's name means laurel in Greek.
Who were the first poets laureate crowned after the classical age?
Albertino Mussato of Padua and Francesco Petrarca of Arezzo were the first poets crowned laureate after the classical age. Mussato was crowned in 1315, and Petrarch received his own coronation on the 8th of April 1341, on Rome's Campidoglio.
When did the royal office of Poet Laureate begin in England?
The royal office of Poet Laureate in England dates from the appointment of John Dryden in 1668. The term itself in Britain dates earlier, to the appointment of Bernard André under Henry VII.
Who is the current Poet Laureate of the United Kingdom?
As of 2026, the current Poet Laureate of the United Kingdom is Simon Armitage.
How much is the stipend paid to the United States Poet Laureate?
Poets laureate of the United States receive a $35,000 stipend. The amount funds an ongoing series of poetry readings and lectures at the Library of Congress and has not been adjusted for inflation.