A poet laureate (plural: poets laureate) is a poet officially appointed by a government or conferring institution, typically expected to compose poems for special events and occasions. Albertino Mussato of Padua and Francesco Petrarca (Petrarch) of Arezzo were the first to be crowned poets laureate after the classical age, respectively in 1315 and 1342.Robert Weiss, The Renaissance Discovery of Classical Antiquity (Oxford, 1973);Ernest Hatch Wilkins, The Making of the Canzoniere and Other Petrarchan Studies 1951:9-69, noted in Weiss 1973:32. In Britain, the term dates from the appointment of Bernard André by Henry VII of England. The royal office of Poet Laureate in England dates from the appointment of John Dryden in 1668.
In modern times, the title of poet laureate may be conferred by an organization such as the Poetry Foundation, which designates a Young People's Poet Laureate, unconnected with the National Youth Poet Laureate and the United States Poet Laureate.
The office is also popular with regional and community groups. Examples include the Pikes Peak Poet Laureate, which is designated by a "Presenting Partners" group from within the community, the Minnesota poet laureate chosen by the League of Minnesota Poets (est. 1934), the Northampton Poet Laureate chosen by the Northampton Arts Council, and the Martha's Vineyard Poet Laureate chosen by ten judges representing the Martha's Vineyard Poetry Society.
Background In ancient Greece, the laurel was used to form a crown or wreath of honour for poets and heroes. The custom derives from the ancient myth of Apollo and Daphne (Daphne signifying "laurel" in Greek), and was revived in Padua for Albertino Mussato,Robert Weiss, The Renaissance Discovery of Classical Antiquity (Oxford, 1973) 20. followed by Petrarch's own crowning ceremony in the audience hall of the medieval senatorial palazzo on the Campidoglio on April 8, 1341.Ernest Hatch Wilkins, The Making of the Canzoniere and Other Petrarchan Studies 1951:9-69, noted in Weiss 1973:32. Because the Renaissance figures who were attempting to revive the Classical tradition lacked detailed knowledge of the Roman precedent they were attempting to emulate, these ceremonies took on the character of doctoral candidatures.Weiss 1973. In Persia, the poet laureate (amīr- or malek-al-šoʿarāʾ) carried artistic authority and were provided sources of income.
Since the office of poet laureate has become widely adopted, the term "laureate" has come to signify recognition for preeminence or superlative achievement (cf. Nobel laureate). A royal degree in rhetoric, poet laureate was awarded at European universities in the Middle Ages. The term therefore may refer to the holder of such a degree, which recognized skill in rhetoric, grammar, and language. During England's seventeenth century, the poet laureate served as the "court poet" of royalty, and was often called upon to celebrate state occasions until that role was abolished during the early 1800s. The skald in ancient Scandinavia often spent their careers too serving as the court poets of Norway's kings. Just like the first English poets laureate, ministers during China's feudal era presented "commanded poems" at royal events and were beholden to the ruling class. In Japan, the poet laureate (keikanshijin) was also imperially appointed and were often called upon to read at the annual Utakai Hajime. Comparatively, in Africa, kingdoms such as the Kuba in the Belgian Congo (modern day Democratic Republic of the Congo) appointed bards that served as both the royal historian and poet laureate. In addition to being known as poets laureate, bards were also referred to as "praise-poets" due to their special function of venerating the chief.
In the Xhosa language, Imbongi YeSizwethe can be translated to mean either "poet laureate" or "national poet". Similar to what is expressed in the Xhosa term, some poets have been dually noted as "poet laureate" and "national poet" depending upon the source: Agostinho Neto (Angola), Kazi Nazrul Islam (Bangladesh), Rabindranath Tagore (India), José Craveirinha (Mozambique), Mahmoud Darwish (Palestine), Mohamed Ibrahim Warsame 'Hadrawi' (Somalia), Edwin Thumboo (Singapore) and Taras Shevchenko (Ukraine). This contrasts with other figures such as Shamsur Rahman (Bangladesh), Thomas Moore (Bermuda), Leung Ping-kwan (Hong Kong), Francisco Borja da Costa (Timor–Leste) and Haji Gora Haji (Zanzibar)—who are conferred an "unofficial poet laureate" status due to their poetical works.
As of modern times, over a dozen national governments continue the poet laureate tradition. The Commonwealth of Nations even has its own position, and Selina Tusitala Marsh was appointed the inaugural Commonwealth Poet Laureate in 2025.
By continent
Africa
Algeria In Algeria, during the 11th century, Ibn Sharaf al-Qayrawani was the court poet of the Zīrids. Al-Thaghri Al-Tilimsani was appointed as a court poet during the Zayyanid dynasty.
Burkina Faso Boûbacar Tinguidji, a Fula maabo, was appointed as the court poet of the Ruler of Dori.
Cameroon Poets laureate of Cameroon include René Philombé.
Cape Verde Poets laureate of Cape Verde include Eugénio Tavares.
Egypt Ahmed Shawqi became Egypt's Poet Laureate in 1894.
Eritrea Poets laureate of Eritrea include Reesom Haile.
Ethiopia
In Ethiopia, the officially designated Laureate includes Tsegaye Gebre-Medhin. Tsegaye's award was granted in 1966 by His Majesty, Haile-Selasie II.
Gambia Poets laureate of The Gambia include Lenrie Peters.
Ghana Poets laureate of Ghana include Atukwei Okai.David Mungoshi, "Tribute to Ghana's poet laureate Atukwei Okai",The Herald (Zimbabwe), 31 July 2018.
Kenya Muyaka bin Haji al-Ghassaniy was the Poet Laureate of Mombasa, Kenya.
Lesotho Poets laureate of Lesotho include Joshua Pulumo Mohapeloa.
Liberia Poets laureate for the Republic of Liberia have included Roland T. Dempster, Melvin B. Tolson (1947), and Patricia Jabbeh Wesley.
Libya Libya-born Callimachus was appointed as an imperial court poet to Ptolemy II Philadelphus.
Madagascar Poets laureate of Madagascar include Jacques Rabemananjara.
Malawi Poets laureate of Malawi include Jack Mapanje.
Mali Poets laureate of Mali include Ban Sumana Sisòkò.
Mauritania Mohamed Ould Taleb was appointed as the official court poet during Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz's presidency in Mauritania.
Mauritius Poets laureate of Mauritius include Édouard Maunick.
Morocco In the 13th century, Abdelaziz al-Malzuzi was the court poet of Abu Yahya ibn Abd al-Haqq. During the 16th-17th centuries in Morocco's history, Abd al-Aziz al-Fishtali was appointed as the poet laureate of the Sultan Ahmad al-Mansur.
Niger Burkina Faso-born Boûbacar Tinguidji, a Fula maabo, was appointed as the court poet of the Songhai chief Mossi Gaidou in Dargol, Niger.
Nigeria Poets laureate of Nigeria include Obo Aba Hisanjani and Niyi Osundare.FEATURE: Inside Niyi Osundare's book of truth as trouble. (2024, May 30). Premium Times (Abuja, Nigeria). Available from NewsBank: Access World News: https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/document-view?p=AWNB&docref=news/1996441716A07330. Mamman Jiya Vatsa was the inaugural poet laureate of Abuja, Nigeria. Tanure Ojaide was the Poet Laureate of the Niger Delta.
Rwanda During the 18th century in Rwanda's history, Semidogoro was the official court poet of Mibambwe III Mutabazi II Sentabyo. Sekarama was the official court poet during the reigns of Kigeli IV Rwabugiri and Mutara III Rudahigwa. Poets laureate of Rwanda include Edouard Bamporiki Uwayo.
Senegal Poets laureate of Senegal include Léopold Sédar Senghor and Robert Hayden (1966).
Sierra Leone Poets laureate of Sierra Leone include the Italian authors Roberto Malini and Dario Picciau.
South Africa In the 19th century, Magolwane kaMkhathini Jiyane was the court poet of Shaka Zulu. During the 20th century, David Livingstone Phakamile (Yali-Manisi) was the poet laureate of Kaiser Matanzima. Poets laureate of South Africa include Mazisi Kunene (2005), Keorapetse Kgositsile (2006), and Mongane Wally Serote (2018).
Sudan During the 1800s in Sudan, Al U'aysir was the court poet (inqīb) of the Ja'alin tribe King Mek Nimr.
Tanzania Poets laureate of Tanzania include Saadani Kandoro (1969).
Tunisia During the 10th century, Muhammad ibn Hani al-Andalusi al-Azdi was appointed as the chief court poet to the Fatimid Caliph al-Mu'izz. Also, in the 10th century, Ali ibn Muhammad al-Iyadi was the court poet of Fatimid caliphs al-Qa'im, al-Mansur, and al-Mu'izz. Poets laureate of Tunisia include Qasim Shabi.
Uganda Poets laureate of Uganda include Akena Adoko.
Zimbabwe Ginyilitshe Hlabangana was the official poet laureate (or Imbongi YeNkosi) for the Ndebele Kingdom (now called Matabeleland, Zimbabwe).
Asia
Afghanistan During the 10–11th century, Unsuri was made poet laureate by Sultan Maḥmūd of Ghazna. Modern poets laureate of Afghanistan include Abdullah "Malik al-Shu'Ara" Qari, Sufi Abdul Bitab, and Ustad Khalilullah Khalili.
Armenia Poets laureate of Armenia include Avetik Isahakian and Hovhannes Toumanian (1970).
Azerbaijan In 1502, Azerbaijan-born court poet Habibi earned the title "king of poets" from Safavid king Ismail I. Poets laureate of Azerbaijan include Bakhtiyar Vahabzadeh.
Bahrain Bahrain-born Muḥammad Sharīf al-Shībānī served as the poet laureate of the court of Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (c. 1967).
Bangladesh During the 15th century, Zainuddin was appointed the court poet of Bengal while under the patronage of Prince Yusuf Khan. Yusuf-Zulekha was the court poet of Sultan of Bengal, Ghiyasuddin Azam Shah. Sometime during the 15th-16th century, Shah Muhammad Saghir was the poet laureate of the Sultan of Bengal Ghiyasuddin Azam Shah. Daulat Qazi, born in what is now modern day Bangladesh, was officially appointed as the poet for the Arakan court in Myanmar (then ruled by King Thiri Thudhamma).Sen, Sukumar (1993). Islami Bangla Sahitya (in Bengali), Kolkata: Ananda Publishers, , pp.23-33
Brunei Poets laureate of Brunei include royal poet Omar Ali Saifuddien III.
Cambodia Poets laureate of Cambodia include Ind (1907–1924).
China In Ancient China, Emperor Yuan of Han () appointed Shi You as the poet laureate. During the Tang dynasty, Li Bai was appointed as the poet laureate to Emperor Xuanzong. Zhou Boqi was a court poet appointed during the Yuan Dynasty.
Cyprus During the 19th century, after the Turks invaded Cyprus, Mufti Hilmi Efendi was appointed the poet laureate of Sultan Mahmud II. In 1980, the World Academy of Arts and Culture awarded Cyprus-born Costas Montis the title of Poet Laureate.
Georgia Heraclius II of Georgia appointed Sayat-Nova as his poet laureate at the court of Tbilisi.
India In India, poets laureate were maintained at the royal courts beginning in ancient times. For instance, in Ancient India, Harisena was designated poet laureate by Emperor Samudragupta. During the 7th century, Emperor Harsha proclaimed Bāṇabhaṭṭa as the poet laureate. Jayamkondar was made poet laureate by Chola Emperor Kulottunga I. In the 10th century, Ranna was the poet laureate of Western Chalukya Kings Tailapa II and Satyashraya.Kamath (2001), p45Sastri (1955), p356 Adikavi Pampa was the court poet of Vemulavada Chalukya king Arikesari II. Also, in the 10th century, Ponna received the title Kavichakravarthi (poet laureate) and Ubhaya-Chakravarthi (imperial poet in two languages) from Rashtrakuta king Krishna III. Padmagupta Parimala was a Paramama court poet. In the mid-11th century, Nannaya was the poet-laureate of Rajaraja Narendra.