Poet Laureate of Minnesota

Official poet the U.S. state of Minnesota

Poet Laureate of Minnesota

Incumbent
Gwen Westerman

since 2021

Type| Poet laureate
Appointer| Governor of Minnesota
Formation| 1934 (officially in 2007)
First holder| Margarette Ball Dickson
Salary| None

The Poet Laureate of Minnesota is the poet laureate for the U.S. state of Minnesota.

The Poet Laureate attends public events and is expected to celebrate Minnesota's cultural history, engaging the youth and marginalized voices in poetry.[1] According to the office of the Governor, the Poet Laureate "may promote the reading and writing of poetry, preside over poetry awards and contests and write poetry or select poets to compose works for significant state occasions."[2]

## History

[edit]

Following the foundation of the League of Minnesota Poets in 1934, Margarette Ball Dickson was named Minnesota's first poet laureate by the national Poet Laureate League.[3][4] A letter she received from the Governor recognized her appointment. In 1973, local media announced the election of a new poet laureate. Columnist Abe Altrowitz, designated Minnesota Commissioner of Poetry by the Governor, named Laurene Tibbetts-Larson as Minnesota's poet laureate on May 14, 1974.[5]

Legislation to make the poet laureate position official was introduced on February 19, 1974, but did not pass. Further bills to create an official poet laureate were introduced on April 1, 2004, and February 4, 2005, but were also unsuccessful. In his veto of the latter bill, Governor Tim Pawlenty, noted that "Even though we have a state 'folklorist,' I also have concern this will lead to calls for other similar positions. We could also see requests for a state mime, interpretive dancer or potter."[5]

The official position of Poet Laureate of Minnesota was established on May 25, 2007.[5] Robert Bly was appointed Minnesota poet laureate on February 27, 2008. He was succeeded by Joyce Sutphen on August 23, 2011. Sutphen relinquished the position in April 2021.[5] Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan appointed Gwen Westerman as Poet Laureate of Minnesota on September 9, 2021.[6]

Robert Bly was appointed poet laureate in 2008.

## List of Poets Laureate

[edit]

#  | Poet laureate  | Term began  | Term ended  | Appointed by  | Notes

|
|
|
|
|

1 | Margarette Ball Dickson | 1934 | July 21, 1963 | Poet Laureate League (District of Columbia) | [7]
2 | Laurene Tibbetts-Larson | May 14, 1974 | December 6, 1999 | unofficial election | [7]
3 | Robert Bly | February 27, 2008 | August 22, 2011 | Gov. Tim Pawlenty | [7]
4 | Joyce Sutphen | August 23, 2011 | April 2021 | Gov. Tim Pawlenty | [7][8]
5 | Gwen Westerman | September 9, 2021 | Present | Gov. Tim Walz | [8]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Pugmire, Tim (September 9, 2021). "Gwen Nell Westerman is the new Minnesota poet laureate". MPR News.
2. ^ "Minnesota's first poet laureate". The Minnesota Daily. March 4, 2008.
3. ^ "Collection: Minneapolis Poetry Society and the League of Minnesota Poets Records". Hennepin County Library. Retrieved March 19, 2023.
4. ^ "Margarette Ball Dickson". Minnesota Author Biographies. Minnesota Historical Society. Retrieved March 19, 2023.
5. ^ a b c d Armenti, Peter. "Research Guides: U.S. State Poets Laureate: A Resource Guide: Massachusetts-New Jersey". Library of Congress. Retrieved March 19, 2023.
6. ^ Fischer, Samantha (September 9, 2021). "Mankato professor named Minnesota's first Native Poet Laureate". KARE 11.
7. ^ a b c d Library of Congress. U.S. State Poets Laureate: Minnesota. Retrieved January 22, 2014.
8. ^ a b "Professor Gwen Westerman Named Minnesota's Poet Laureate". MSU. Retrieved August 1, 2022.

## External links

[edit]

* Poetry portal

* Poets Laureate of Minnesota at the Library of Congress

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Poet Laureate of Minnesota

* Margarette Ball Dickson (1934–1963)
* Laurene Tibbetts-Larson (1974–1999)
* Robert Bly (2008–2011)
* Joyce Sutphen (2011–2021)
* Gwen Westerman (2021–present)

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