Poet Laureate
Poet Laureate (from Latin poeta laureatus, "laurel-crowned poet") is a particularly distinguished poet in some states of the Commonwealth , especially in the United Kingdom and Canada , as well as in the USA . The name comes from the ancient tradition of decorating outstanding poets with a laurel wreath .
United Kingdom
In the United Kingdom, Poet Laureate is the office of poet in court whose job it is to write poetry for official occasions and national events. As the first Poet Laureate was Augustinian Monk Bernard André (1450-1522), an educator of the British heir to the throne Arthur Tudor , by Henry VIII. Appointed. The Poet Laureate is currently proposed by the Prime Minister and appointed by the King / Queen. It was awarded for life until 1999, since then it has been awarded for 10 years.
United States
In the USA, the Poet Laureate is appointed annually for the period from October to May by the Librarian of Congress in consultation with the "incumbent" Poet Laureate and outstanding literary and poetry critics. The Poet Laureate advises the Library of Congress on poetry matters and oversees a series of readings. Otherwise, he or she is given a relatively free hand in organizing his or her activities for promoting poetry. The award is endowed with $ 35,000 and includes a travel grant of $ 5,000 (2007).