Editing Poet laureate (section)

=== North America ===

==== Bahamas ====
Poets laureate of [[The Bahamas]] include Henry Christopher Christie.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Jiménez |first=Doña Luz |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sJk1AAAAIAAJ |title=De Porfirio Díaz a Zapata: memoria náhuatl de Milpa Alta |date=1979 |publisher=UNAM, Instituto de Investigaciones Históricas |language=en}}</ref>

==== Barbados ====
The first Poet Laureate of [[Barbados]] was chosen in 2018. Her name is [[Esther Phillips (poet)|Esther Phillips]].<ref name="EstherPhillips1">{{cite web |last=Shooman |first=Joe |date=2018-07-03 |title='I'd love to see poetry explode' |url=http://www.zingmag.net/id-love-to-see-poetry-explode/ |access-date=2020-09-28 |website=Zing magazine |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name="EstherPhillips2">{{cite web |last=Sealy |first=John |date=2018-03-14 |title=Esther Phillips is Barbados' first ever poet laureate |url=https://www.nationnews.com/nationnews/news/138468/esther-phillips-barbados-poet-laureate |access-date=2020-09-28 |website=Nation News}}</ref>

==== Canada ====
[[File:Toronto's Poet Laureate (19570043996).jpg|thumb|Toronto's Poet Laureate George Elliott Clarke who later became Parliamentary Poet Laureate of Canada]]
{{Main|Canadian Parliamentary Poet Laureate}}

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.<ref name="CPPL">{{cite web |title=THE PARLIAMENTARY POET LAUREATE |url=https://lop.parl.ca/About/Parliament/Poet/index-e.html |access-date=8 August 2022 |website=Parliament of Canada}}</ref>

===== Provincial and municipal poets laureate =====
{{Main|List of Canadian provincial poets laureate}}
Currently, only the provinces of [[Ontario]], [[Prince Edward Island]], [[Saskatchewan]] and [[Yukon]] have appointed a poet laureate.

====== Alberta ======
{{Main|Municipal poets laureate in Alberta}}

====== British Columbia ======
{{Main|Municipal poets laureate in British Columbia}}

====== Manitoba cities ======
* Poets laureate of [[Winnipeg]] include [[Di Brandt]] (2018–2019), [[Duncan Mercredi]] (2020–2022), and [[Chimwemwe Undi]] (2023-2024).<ref>{{cite web |title=Winnipeg Poet Laureate {{pipe}} The Winnipeg Arts Council |url=https://winnipegarts.ca/poetlaureate |website=winnipegarts.ca}}</ref>

====== 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) <ref>{{cite web |title=Poet Laureates / Poètes lauréats {{pipe}} Poésie Moncton Poetry |url=https://www.poesiemonctonpoetry.com/poets-laureate-po%C3%A8tes-laur%C3%A9at-es |website=poesiemonctonpoetry}}</ref>
* Poets laureate of [[Sackville, New Brunswick|Sackville]] include [[Douglas Lochhead]] (2002–2011), Marilyn Lerch (2013–2017), Shoshanna Wingate (2019–2021) and Laura K. Watson (2021–present).<ref>{{cite web |last=Tower |first=Katie |title=Shoshanna Wingate appointed Sackville's new Poet Laureate {{pipe}} SaltWire |url=https://www.saltwire.com/atlantic-canada/federal-election/shoshanna-wingate-appointed-sackvilles-new-poet-laureate-274605/ |website=www.saltwire.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Poet Laureate Laura K. Watson |url=https://sackville.com/residents/arts-culture/poet-laureate/ |website=Town of Sackville}}</ref>

====== Newfoundland and Labrador cities ======
* Poets laureate of [[St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador|St. John]]'s include [[Agnes Walsh]] (2006–2009), [[Tom Dawe]] (2010–2013), [[George Murray (poet)|George Murray]] (2014–2017), and [[Mary Dalton]] (2019–2022).<ref>{{cite web |title=Poet Laureate {{pipe}} City Of St. John's |url=https://www.stjohns.ca/living-st-johns/arts-and-culture/poet-laureate |website=www.stjohns.ca}}</ref>

====== Nova Scotia cities ======
{{Main|Poet Laureate of Halifax, Nova Scotia}}

* [[Rita Joe]] (1932 – 2007) was appointed Lifetime "Poet Laureate of the Mi'kmaq people" in [[Cape Breton Island|Cape Breton]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Rita Joe |url=http://www.stu-acpa.com/rita-joe.html |website=ATLANTIC CANADIAN POETS' ARCHIVE}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Rita Joe {{pipe}} The Canadian Encyclopedia |url=https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/rita-joe |website=www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca}}</ref>

====== Ontario ======
{{Main|Poet Laureate of Ontario}}
{{Main|Municipal poets laureate in Ontario}}

====== Prince Edward Island ======
[[Prince Edward Island]] appointed its first poet laureate, [[John Smith (Canadian poet)|John Smith]], in 2003.<ref name="PEISmith">{{cite web |last=Toolkit |date=August 18, 2016 |title=John Smith: Poet Laureate 2002-2004 Experience |url=https://www.princeedwardisland.ca/en/information/john-smith-poet-laureate-2002-2004 |website=www.princeedwardisland.ca}}</ref><ref name="PEISmith2">[https://www.cbc.ca/news/entertainment/p-e-i-appoints-poet-laureate-1.350275 CBC.ca Arts - P.E.I. appoints poet laureate]</ref><ref name="PEI">{{cite web |date=April 11, 2016 |title=Poet Laureate |url=https://www.princeedwardisland.ca/en/information/education-and-lifelong-learning/poet-laureate |access-date=8 August 2022 |website=Government of Prince Edward Island}}</ref>

* [[Julie Pellissier-Lush]] (2019–present)
* [[Deirdre Kessler]] (2016–2019)
* [[Diane Hicks Morrow]] (2013–2016)
* [[Hugh MacDonald (poet)|Hugh MacDonald]] (2009–2013)
* [[David Helwig]] (2008–2009)
* [[Frank Ledwell]] (2004–2007)
* [[John Smith (Canadian poet)|John Smith]] (2002–2004)

====== Saskatchewan ======
[[Saskatchewan]] appointed its first poet laureate, [[Glen Sorestad]], in 2000.<ref name="LCP">{{cite web |title=Canada's Poets Laureate |url=https://poets.ca/resources/poetslaureate/ |access-date=8 August 2022 |website=League of Canadian Poets}}</ref>

* [[Carol Rose GoldenEagle]] (2021–present)
* [[Bruce Rice]] (2019 - 2021)
* [[Brenda Schmidt]] (2017 - 2018)
* [[Gerry Hill (poet)|Gerry Hill]] (2016 - 2017)
* [[Judith Krause]] (2014 - 2015)
* [[Don Kerr (poet)|Don Kerr]] (2011 - 2013)
* [[Robert Currie (poet)|Robert Currie]] (2007 - 2010)
* [[Louise Bernice Halfe|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.<ref name="YPL">{{cite web |title=Yukon Poet Laureate |url=https://www.yukonpoetlaureate.com |access-date=8 August 2022 |website=Yukon Poet Laureate}}</ref><ref name="LCP" />

The Commissioner of Yukon established the Story Laureate of Yukon role in 2020.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-10-16 |title=Commissioner introduces first Story Laureate of Yukon |url=https://yukon.ca/en/news/commissioner-introduces-first-story-laureate-yukon |access-date=2022-10-22 |website=yukon.ca}}</ref> The inaugural position was held by [https://harbourpublishing.com/collections/michael-gates Michael Gates].

==== Costa Rica ====
Poets laureate of [[Costa Rica]] include [[Laureano Albán]].<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1l9NAQAAMAAJ |title=Library of Congress Information Bulletin |date=1984 |publisher=The Library |language=en}}</ref>

==== Cuba ====
[[National poet]]s 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]].<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Albin |first1=María C. |last2=Corbin |first2=Megan |last3=Marrero-Fente |first3=Raul |date=Spring 2017 |title=A Transnational Figure: Gertrudis Gómez de Avellaneda and the American Press |journal=Hispanic Issues on Line}}</ref> [[Nicolás Guillén]], who is mainly considered a national poet, became the Poet Laureate of [[Havana]] in 1913.<ref>{{cite thesis |last1=Addison |first1=Ennis Phillip |title=From Harlem to Havana and Back Again: Ruin, the Performative Politics of Survival, and the Ambivalent, State-Sponsored Detective in Chester Himes' Harlem Domestic and Leonardo Padura's Cuatro Estaciones |date=2021 |id={{ProQuest|2634857050}}}}{{page needed|date=September 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Versón |first1=Salvador Díaz |title=One Man, One Battle |date=1980 |publisher=World Wide Publishing Company |oclc=7173461}}{{page needed|date=September 2024}}</ref>

==== Dominican Republic ====
Poets laureate of [[Dominican Republic]] include [[Pedro Mir]] (1984).

==== El Salvador ====
Poets laureate of [[El Salvador]] include Alberto Rivas Bonilla.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pvcxAAAAYAAJ |title=Ateneo de El Salvador: órgano del Centro del mismo nombre |date=1921 |publisher=El Ateneo |language=es}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Ulloa |first=Juan |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=i1pTAAAAMAAJ |title=Ventanas al azul |date=1957 |publisher=Editorial Ahora |language=es}}</ref>

==== Guatemala ====
Poets laureate of [[Guatemala]] include Osmundo Arriola and [[Máximo Soto Hall]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Stewart |first=Iain |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YP4427jS-5AC |title=The Rough Guide to Guatemala |date=2009-02-16 |publisher=Penguin |isbn=978-1-84836-808-8 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Jones |first=Willis Knapp |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cInAEAAAQBAJ |title=Behind Spanish American Footlights |date=2014-07-29 |publisher=University of Texas Press |isbn=978-1-4773-0015-2 |language=en}}</ref>

==== Haiti ====
Poets laureate of [[Haiti]] include [[Jean-Fernand Brierre]].<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=SfVpAAAAIAAJ |title=CLA Journal |date=1984 |publisher=College Language Association. |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last1=Herdeck |first1=Donald E. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jexkAAAAMAAJ |title=Caribbean Writers: A Bio-bibliographical-critical Encyclopedia |last2=Lubin |first2=Maurice Alcibiade |last3=Laniak-Herdeck |first3=Margaret |date=1979 |publisher=Three Continents Press |isbn=978-0-914478-74-4 |language=en}}</ref>

==== Honduras ====
In 1846, [[José Trinidad Reyes]] was appointed the Poet Laureate of [[Honduras]].<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Wehner |first1=Lauren |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dPOCDwAAQBAJ |title=Honduras |last2=Mcgaffey |first2=Leta |last3=Spilling |first3=Michael |date=2018-12-15 |publisher=Cavendish Square Publishing, LLC |isbn=978-1-5026-4102-1 |language=en}}</ref> His successors include [[Froylán Turcios]] (c. 1922).<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_WMvAQAAMAAJ |title=Revista de derecho, historia y letras |date=1922 |publisher=J. Peuser |language=es}}</ref>

==== Jamaica ====
[[Thomas MacDermot]] was the first poet laureate of [[Jamaica]] during colonial times, followed by [[J. E. Clare McFarlane]].<ref name="Jamaica">{{cite web |title=Former Poets Laureate |url=https://nlj.gov.jm/poetlaureate/formerpoetslaureate/ |access-date=7 August 2022 |website=National Library of Jamaica}}</ref> [[Mervyn Morris]] was the first poet laureate of Jamaica upon its independence (2014–2017), followed by [[Lorna Goodison]] (2017–2020)<ref name="Jamaica" /> and [[Olive Senior]] (2021–2024).<ref name="Jamaica2">{{cite web |title=poet laureate of Jamaica |url=https://nlj.gov.jm/poetlaureate/ |access-date=7 August 2022 |website=National Library of Jamaica}}</ref> The current poet laureate is [[Kwame Dawes]] (2024–2027).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ghanaian Author Kwame Dawes Honored as the Poet Laureate of Jamaica |url=https://brittlepaper.com/2024/04/ghanaian-author-kwame-dawes-honored-as-the-poet-laureate-of-jamaica/ |access-date=2024-08-29 |website=brittlepaper.com}}</ref>

==== Martinique ====
Poets laureate of [[Martinique]] include Daniel Thaly.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Hez0fk7AmwsC |title=Chronicle |date=1939 |publisher=West Indian Committee |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Thompson |first=Charles Henry |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WTPQAAAAMAAJ |title=The Journal of Negro Education |date=1942 |publisher=Bureau of Educational Research |language=en}}</ref>

==== Mexico ====
In the 15th century, [[Nezahualcoyotl (tlatoani)|Nezahualcoyotl]] was the Poet Laureate of the [[Aztecs]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Edwards |first=Chris |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zafTCgAAQBAJ |title=Connecting the Dots in World History, A Teacher's Literacy Based Curriculum: From the Mongol Empire to the Reformation |date=2015-11-10 |publisher=Rowman & Littlefield |isbn=978-1-4758-2319-6 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Day |first=Arthur Grove |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=X337XBWEDQ0C |title=The Sky Clears: Poetry of the American Indians |date=1964-01-01 |publisher=U of Nebraska Press |isbn=978-0-8032-5047-5 |language=en}}</ref> Poets laureate of [[Mexico]] include [[Guillermo Prieto]] (1890), Juan de Dios Peza, and [[George de Zayas|Rafael de Zayas Enriquez]].<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=k9FkAAAAMAAJ |title=Central America and Mexico |date=1953 |publisher=James C. Parish, Jr. |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BubQAAAAMAAJ |title=Sports Afield |date=1898 |publisher=Hearst Corporation |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bWkWFuiGPS4C |title=The Independent |date=1909 |publisher=S. W. Benedict |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Kroiz |first=Lauren |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HwQlDQAAQBAJ |title=Creative Composites: Modernism, Race, and the Stieglitz Circle |date=2012-09-06 |publisher=Univ of California Press |isbn=978-0-520-27249-1 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ia06AQAAMAAJ |title=The Christian Advocate |date=1901 |publisher=T. Carlton & J. Porter |language=en}}</ref> Ramón Modesto López Velarde Berumen was the Poet Laureate of [[Jerez de García Salinas]], [[Zacatecas]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Fernando Fernández presenta un retrato nítido y completo de la obra de López Velarde |url=https://www.proceso.com.mx/cultura/2021/12/29/fernando-fernandez-presenta-un-retrato-nitido-completo-de-la-obra-de-lopez-velarde-278267.html |access-date=2024-10-10 |website=www.proceso.com.mx |language=spanish}}</ref> [[Enrique González Martínez]] was the Poet Laureate of [[Mexico City]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Tenorio-Trillo |first=Mauricio |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4-aEDwAAQBAJ |title=I Speak of the City: Mexico City at the Turn of the Twentieth Century |date=2015-02-24 |publisher=University of Chicago Press |isbn=978-0-226-79273-6 |language=en}}</ref> Félix Martínez Dolz was the Poet Laureate of [[Oaxaca]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Plancarte |first=Gabriel Méndez |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=b8YnAAAAMAAJ |title=Ábside |date=1943 |language=es}}</ref> In 2019, Gerardo de Jesús Monroy became the Poet Laureate of [[Torreón Municipality|Torreón]], [[Coahuila]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Welch |first=William |date=February 23, 2019 |title=Gerardo de Jesús Monroy es el poeta laureado |url=https://www.pressreader.com/mexico/el-debate-de-guamuchil/20190223/282213717105789?srsltid=AfmBOopPv6BxI9FmDqSgz0qVD1IfPap_QbVNJk4QCxBUzcGdpNGC_IbP |access-date=2024-10-11 |via=PressReader}}</ref>

==== Nicaragua ====
Poets laureate of [[Nicaragua]] include Agenor Argüello and Juan de Dios Vanegas.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Intelectual |first=Honduras Oficina de Cooperación |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_exqAAAAMAAJ |title=La sucesión presidencial en Honduras |date=1949 |publisher=Talleres Tipo-Litográficos "Aristón" |language=es}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Rodríguez |first=Rubén Leyton |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=n1tqAAAAMAAJ |title=Belice es tierra de Guatemala |date=1953 |publisher=Ediciones R. Leyton Prado |language=es}}</ref>

==== Panama ====
Poets laureate of [[Panama]] include [[Enrique Geenzier]].<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Kunitz |first1=Stanley |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0BRQAAAAIAAJ |title=Wilson Library Bulletin |last2=Loizeaux |first2=Marie Duvernoy |date=1943 |publisher=H.W. Wilson Company |language=en}}</ref>

==== Saint Lucia ====
[[File:Derek Walcott.jpg|thumb|Derek Walcott of Saint Lucia]]Poets laureate of [[Saint Lucia]] include [[Derek Walcott]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Derek Walcott, St. Lucian Poet and Nobel Laureate, Wrote Frequently About USVI {{!}} St. Thomas Source |url=https://stthomassource.com/content/2017/03/20/derek-walcott-st-lucian-poet-and-nobel-laureate-wrote-frequently-about-usvi/ |access-date=2024-08-29 |website=stthomassource.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Wroe |first=Nicholas |date=2000-09-01 |title=The laureate of St Lucia |url=https://www.theguardian.com/books/2000/sep/02/poetry |access-date=2024-08-29 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref>

==== Trinidad and Tobago ====
Paul-Keens Douglas became the inaugural Poet Laureate of [[Trinidad and Tobago]] in 2017.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=Poet Laureate of Trinidad and Tobago |url=https://circleofpoetstt.wixsite.com/circleofpoetstt/poet-laureate-of-trinidad-and-tobag |access-date=2024-09-13 |website=Circle of Poets TT |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-03-18 |title=You never know who's listening |url=https://newsday.co.tt/2018/03/18/you-never-know-whos-listening/ |access-date=2024-09-13 |website=Trinidad and Tobago Newsday |language=en-US}}</ref> In 2002, [[Eintou Pearl Springer]] was named the Poet Laureate of [[Port of Spain]], [[Trinidad and Tobago]].<ref>Emrit, Ronald C., [http://www.bestoftrinidad.com/profiles/springer.html "Pearl Eintou Springer"], Best of Trinidad.</ref> The inaugural Poet Laureate of the [[Port of Spain]] was Anson Gonzalez.<ref name=":2" />

==== United States ====
[[File:Joy Harjo, Poet Laureate, close-up.jpg|thumb|Joy Harjo, Poet Laureate of the United States]]
[[File:Amanda Gorman with Tracy K Smith - 2017 crop.jpeg|thumb|Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden, Poet Laureate Tracy K. Smith, and National Youth Poet Laureate Amanda Gorman.]]
{{Main|United States Poet Laureate}}
{{Further|List of U.S. state poets laureate}}

The [[Library of Congress|United States Library of Congress]] appointed a [[Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry to the Library of Congress|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.<ref name="pbs">{{cite web |date=September 6, 2002 |title=POETRY: THE NAMES |url=https://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/poems/july-dec02/names_9-06.html# |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021002182454/https://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/poems/july-dec02/names_9-06.html |archive-date=2 October 2002 |access-date=28 December 2019 |publisher=pbs.org}}</ref>  The original intent of the stipend was to provide poets laureate with a full income, so that they could devote their time entirely to writing poetry. The amount has not been adjusted for [[inflation]] and is now considered a moderate bonus intended to supplement a poet's already existing income.

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.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Hawgood |first=Alex |date=2017-11-03 |title=Meet Amanda Gorman, America's First Youth Poet Laureate (Published 2017) |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/03/style/amanda-gorman-first-youth-poet-laureate.html |access-date=2021-01-20 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>

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.<ref name="usstateplrgloc">{{cite web |title=State Poets Laureate A Resource Guide |url=https://guides.loc.gov/united-states-state-poets-laureate/current |access-date=14 February 2025 |website=Library of Congress}}</ref>