Poet laureate list

Poet Laureate of the United Kingdom

Honorary position in the United Kingdom

The British Poet Laureate is an honorary position appointed by the monarch of the United Kingdom on the advice of the prime minister. The role does not entail any specific duties, but there is an expectation that the holder will write verse for significant national occasions.

The laureateship dates to when a pension was provided to Ben Jonson, but the first official Laureate was John Dryden, appointed in by Charles II. On the death of Alfred, Lord Tennyson, who held the post between November and October , there was a break of four years as a mark of respect; Tennyson's laureate poems "Ode on the Death of the Duke of Wellington" and "The Charge of the Light Brigade" were particularly cherished by the Victorian public.

Four poets, Thomas Gray, Samuel Rogers, Walter Scott[1] and Philip Larkin turned down the laureateship. Historically appointed for an unfixed term and typically held for life, since the term has been ten years. The holder of the position as at is Simon Armitage who succeeded Carol Ann Duffy in May after ten years in office.[3]

Background

The origins of the British poet laureateship date back to when James I of England granted a pension to the writer Ben Jonson.[4] Although there were subsequent court poets it was not until , and the appointment of John Dryden by Charles II, that the post was made an established royal office within the royal household.[5] Dryden, who had been appointed following the success of his poem Annus Mirabilis, was dismissed from office in following the accession of the Protestant William III and Mary II to the throne.

Dryden, a Catholic convert, refused to take the Oath of Allegiance to the new monarchs and he was dismissed from the laureateship—the only holder to have been removed from office.[8]

Dryden's successor, Thomas Shadwell, was appointed in for life. He introduced the custom of producing poems for the new year and the monarch's birthday, which became one of the key duties of the position.[9] After the appointment of William Wordsworth in the duties settled into an expectation, not requirement, for major court and national occasions.

Alfred, Lord Tennyson held the post between November and October According to Andrew Motion and Hilary Laurie, Tennyson "gave the poet laureateship new status and significance" with works such as "Ode on the Death of the Duke of Wellington" and "The Charge of the Light Brigade". On his death the post was left vacant as a mark of respect; a new laureate was not appointed until four years later, with the appointment of Alfred Austin in January As at the position is an honorary one, and the office holder is left to decide on which occasions they will produce poetry.[1][5] Following Dryden's dismissal from the post, the laureateship was held for life by all successors until Motion was appointed in for a fixed term of ten years; his successor, Carol Ann Duffy, was also appointed on the same fixed term.[11] Duffy was the first female poet to hold the role, and the first Scot.[9][12]

After Shadwell's selection the laureate was appointed by the Lord Chamberlain, on the monarch's instructions.

Most famous english poet: Take the first step today. The Bronte Sisters : the three Bronte sisters Anne , Charlotte and Emily from Haworth in Yorkshire are well known Victorian poets and novelists, like many contemporary female writers, they originally published their poems and novels under male pseudonyms. His appointment as poet laureate in confirmed his popularity and he took the role very seriously, being awarded the Order of Merit in When are you planning to take the exam?

Since the appointment of Henry James Pye in , the prime minister has recommended which candidate to appoint.[1] For the appointment of Duffy the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) undertook a consultation of academics and literary organisations to draw up a short list of recommendations which they presented to the prime minister.

He, in conjunction with the Cabinet Office, then submitted the name to the Queen for approval.[11]

Dryden's salary for the laureateship was £ per year. In Charles I added an annual "butt of Canary wine",[a] although this was later discontinued in place of the monetary equivalent.[9] When Ted Hughes was appointed, he rekindled the tradition, and received bottles of sherry.[14] Since Motion's appointment the DCMS provided an annual honorarium of £5,; Motion also received an additional £19, for his work in education.

With Duffy's appointment, the salary returned to £5, and the barrel of sherry.[15]

Poets laureate

See also

Notes and references

Notes

References

  1. ^ abcd"Poets laureate (–)".

    Dictionary of National Biography. Oxford University Press. Retrieved 27 August (subscription required)

  2. ^ ab"Simon Armitage: 'Witty and profound' writer to be next Poet Laureate". BBC. 10 May
  3. ^ ab"List of poets laureate of Britain".

    Italian art patrons Coleridge; together they established their Pantisocratic Society, which preached Utopian ideals of social […]. Beyond his laureateship, Masefield's literary contributions extended to novels and plays. Beyond his laureateship, his impact on English literature endures, marking him as one of the foremost poets of the 19th century. William Shakespear" , played a crucial role in preserving and popularizing the Bard's masterpieces for future generations.

    Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved 31 August

  4. ^ ab"Poet Laureate". The British Monarchy. The Royal Household. Retrieved 2 September
  5. ^Hammond, Paul (). "Dryden, John (–)".

    Biography of any english poet laureate and husband to sylvia plath This version, while controversial for its departure from the tragic ending of Shakespeare's original, gained popularity and became the standard version performed on the English stage for nearly years. Geoffrey Chaucer c. His excellence lies in the skillful blend of satire, humor, and social commentary, making him a notable figure in the rich tapestry of English literature during the late 17th century. Read more about Shakespeare here!

    Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (online&#;ed.). Oxford University Press. doi/ref:odnb/ Retrieved 2 September (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)

  6. ^ abc"Poets Laureate". Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved 31 August
  7. ^ abcd"Carol Ann Duffy was officially declared as Britain's first female Poet Laureate on May 1st ".

    The Poetry Society. Retrieved 6 July

  8. ^"Duffy reacts to new Laureate post". BBC. 1 May
  9. ^Brown, Mark (6 August ). "Poems, palaces and butts of sherry: exhibition brings poets laureate to life". The Guardian. London.
  10. ^Lea, Richard. "Irish literature gets €, boost with laureate award".

    The Guardian. London.

  11. ^Bennett, Kate (). "Shadwell, Thomas (c–)". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (online&#;ed.). Oxford University Press. doi/ref:odnb/ Retrieved 2 September (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)
  12. ^Hopkins, David ().

    "Tate, Nahum (c–)". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (online&#;ed.). Oxford University Press. doi/ref:odnb/ Retrieved 2 September (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)

  13. ^ abcdeBucholz, R.O.

    "The Artistic Establishment: Poet Laureate –, in Office-Holders in Modern Britain: Volume 11 (Revised), Court Officers, –". British History Online. Retrieved 7 September

  14. ^Sherbo, Arthur (). "Nicholas Rowe (–)". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (online&#;ed.). Oxford University Press. doi/ref:odnb/ Retrieved 7 September (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)
  15. ^Sambrook, James ().

    "Laurence Eusden (–)". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (online&#;ed.). Oxford University Press. doi/ref:odnb/ Retrieved 7 September (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)

  16. ^Salmon, Eric (). "Cibber, Colley (–)". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (online&#;ed.).

    Oxford University Press. doi/ref:odnb/ Retrieved 7 September (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)

  17. ^ abScott, Rosemary (). "Whitehead, William (bap. , d. )". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (online&#;ed.). Oxford University Press.

    doi/ref:odnb/ Retrieved 2 September (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)

  18. ^"No. ".

    Biography of any english poet laureate crossword He won the Nobel Price for Literature in His best-known three-part allegorical poem The Hind and the Panther was written in after he converted to Roman Catholicism. In this blog, we will look into the lives of ten such renowned English poets and some of their influential works. Hughes, often associated with the nature and animal themes in his works, exhibited a unique ability to capture the raw and primal aspects of existence.

    The London Gazette (Supplement). 26 April p.&#;

  19. ^Reid, Hugh (). "Warton, Thomas (–)". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (online&#;ed.). Oxford University Press. doi/ref:odnb/ Retrieved 7 September (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)
  20. ^Sambrook, James ().

    "Henry James Pye (–)". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (online&#;ed.). Oxford University Press. doi/ref:odnb/ Retrieved 7 September (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)

  21. ^Hewitt, David (). "Scott, Sir Walter (–)". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (online&#;ed.).

    Oxford University Press. doi/ref:odnb/ Retrieved 2 September (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)

  22. ^Carnall, Geoffrey (). "Robert Southey (–)". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (online&#;ed.). Oxford University Press.

    Biography of any english poet laureate Colley Cibber, the English playwright and actor, held the prestigious position of Poet Laureate from to Betjeman's poetry often showcased a love for architecture and his concern for the preservation of historic buildings. In , aged 73, Wordsworth accepted the post of poet laureate from Queen Victoria with her reassurance that nothing would be required of him, on account of his age. As Poet Laureate, he brought a dignified and eloquent voice to royal occasions and events, fulfilling the role with a sense of grace and poetic flair.

    doi/ref:odnb/ Retrieved 7 September (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)

  23. ^ abHamilton, Walter (). "The Origin of the Office of Poet Laureate". Transactions of the Royal Historical Society. 8. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press: 20– doi/ JSTOR&#; S2CID&#;
  24. ^Gill, Stephen ().

    "William Wordsworth (–)". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (online&#;ed.). Oxford University Press. doi/ref:odnb/ Retrieved 7 September (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)

  25. ^ abcRicks, Christopher ().

    "Tennyson, Alfred, first Baron Tennyson (–)".

  26. Who is the current poet laureate
  27. William wordsworth biography pdf
  28. List of poet laureate in english literature pdf
  29. Poet laureate from 1813 to 1843
  30. List of poet laureate in english literature

    31. Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (online&#;ed.). Oxford University Press. doi/ref:odnb/ Retrieved 2 September (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)

  31. ^Scheuerle, William H. (). "Alfred Austin (–)". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (online&#;ed.). Oxford University Press.

    doi/ref:odnb/ Retrieved 7 September (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)

  32. ^"No. ". The London Gazette (Supplement). 25 July p.&#;
  33. ^Phillips, Catherine (). "Robert Seymour Bridges (–)". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (online&#;ed.). Oxford University Press.

    doi/ref:odnb/ Retrieved 7 September (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)

  34. ^"No. ". The London Gazette (Supplement). 9 May p.&#;
  35. ^Gervais, David (). "John Edward Masefield (–)". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (online&#;ed.). Oxford University Press.

    doi/ref:odnb/ Retrieved 7 September (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)

  36. ^"No. ". The London Gazette (Supplement). 2 January p.&#;
  37. ^Day-Lewis, Sean (). "Cecil Day-Lewis (–)". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (online&#;ed.). Oxford University Press.

    doi/ref:odnb/ Retrieved 7 September (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)

  38. ^"No. ". The London Gazette (Supplement). 20 October p.&#;
  39. ^Amis, Kingsley (). "Sir John Betjeman (–)". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (online&#;ed.).

    Oxford University Press. doi/ref:odnb/ Retrieved 7 September (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)

  40. ^"No. ". The London Gazette (Supplement). 28 December p.&#;
  41. ^Sagar, Keith (). "Edward James Hughes (–)". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (online&#;ed.).

    Oxford University Press. doi/ref:odnb/ Retrieved 7 September (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)

  42. ^"Poetry in Motion". BBC. 19 May

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    • The Critical and Miscellaneous Prose Works of John Dryden: Now First Collected: with Notes and Illustrations. London: Cadell and Davies. ISBN&#;. OCLC&#;

  • Hammond, Paul; Hopkins, David (). The Poems of John Dryden: Volume Four: –. Abingdon, Oxon: Routledge. ISBN&#;.
  • Laurie, Hilary; Motion, Andrew ().

    Verses of the Poets Laureate: From John Dryden to Andrew Motion. London: Orion. ISBN&#;.

  • Nichol Smith, David (). John Dryden. Cambridge: CUP Archive. OCLC&#;
  • Unwin, Tim (). Wine and the Vine: An Historical Geography of Viticulture and the Wine Trade. London: Routledge. ISBN&#;.