The Poet Laureate Award is a prestigious literary honor awarded to a living poet by the American Academy of Arts and Letters. The award is given to a poet who has "demonstrated the highest poetic achievement over a sustained period." The Poet Laureate serves as the American Academy's ambassador for poetry and is expected to promote poetry and literature throughout the United States.
The Poet Laureate Award was established in 1985 by the American Academy of Arts and Letters, a distinguished honor society of American writers, artists, architects, and composers. The award is given every two years, and the poet laureate receives a stipend of $100,000 and a gold medal.
The first Poet Laureate of the United States was Robert Frost, who was appointed in 1958. Since then, the Poet Laureate has been a who's who of American poetry, including Robert Penn Warren, Elizabeth Bishop, Gwendolyn Brooks, Richard Wilbur, Joseph Brodsky, Robert Pinsky, and Natasha Trethewey.
The Poet Laureate Award is considered one of the highest honors a poet can receive. It is a recognition of a poet's lifetime achievement and a celebration of the power of poetry.
Some of the duties and responsibilities of the Poet Laureate:
* Promoting poetry and literature throughout the United States
* Writing poems for special occasions, such as the inauguration of a new president or the death of a national figure
* Giving readings and lectures about poetry
* Serving as a mentor to young poets
* Representing the United States at international poetry festivals and events
The Poet Laureate Award is a prestigious honor that is well-deserved by the talented poets who have received it. These poets have made a significant contribution to American literature, and their work will continue to be enjoyed for generations to come.