When did Harriet Monroe open Poetry magazine in Chicago?
Harriet Monroe opened the doors to Poetry magazine in Chicago on the 1st of September 1912. She served as its first editor until her death in 1936.
Questions about Poetry Foundation
Short answers, pulled from the story.
How much money did Ruth Lilly leave to the Poetry Foundation after she died?
Ruth Lilly left a bequest worth over $100 million that grew to about $200 million by the time it was distributed. The actual amount arrived after the magazine learned of the gift in 2001 and they waited one year to announce the news while restructuring their board.
Who is the current president of the Poetry Foundation and when did they take office?
Michelle T. Boone assumed the presidency in April 2021 having previously been Chicago's commissioner for cultural affairs. Her leadership follows Henry S. Bienen who ended his tenure on the 10th of June 2020.
Where is the headquarters of the Poetry Foundation located and when did it open?
Part of the Ruth Lilly bequest funded construction of a headquarters on the Near North Side of Chicago designed by architect John Ronan. The structure opened in 2011 and houses a poetry library alongside reading spaces open to the public.
What are the prize amounts for the Ruth Lilly Poetry Prize and the Pegasus Award for Service in Poetry?
An annual Ruth Lilly Poetry Prize offers $100,000 for lifetime achievement to United States poets. That award includes a cash prize of $25,000 for extraordinary work in administration or advocacy established in 2023.