Poet Laureates of United Kingdom

The Poet Laureate title originated in 17th century England as a recognition of poetic excellence. Although the post no longer requires specific poetic duties, the holder remains a salaried member of the British royal household. The title's roots can be traced back to ancient Greek and Roman traditions, where a crown of laurel, a sacred tree to the patron god of poets, Apollo, was bestowed upon achievement. The tradition of a poet serving a British monarch has a long history, but the modern post's origins date back to 1616, when James I granted a pension to Ben Jonson. In 1668, the laureateship became a recognized royal office to be automatically filled when vacant. Previously, the position was a lifetime appointment, but since 1999, the laureate serves a fixed 10-year term. Andrew Motion was the first to serve such a term. Join us on our Telegram channel "Poet Laureates of United Kingdom" for more fascinating insights and stories on this prestigious post.

Poet Laureate Birth & Death Dates of Laureateship Appointed by Length of Tenure (Years)
John Dryden 1631– 1700 13 April 1668 – January 1688 Charles II 20
Thomas Shadwell 1640– 1692 9 March 1689 – 19 or 20 November 1692 William III and Mary II 3
Nahum Tate 1652– 1715 23 December 1692– 30 July 1715 William III and Mary II 23
Nicholas Rowe 1674– 1718 1 August 1715 – 6 December 1718 George I 3
Laurence Eusden 1688– 1730 10 December 1718– 27 September 1730 George I 12
Colley Cibber 1671– 1757 3 December 1730– 12 December 1757 George II 27
William Whitehead 1715– 1785 19 December 1757[b] – 14 April 1785 George II 27
Thomas Warton 1728– 1790 20 April 1785 – 21 May 1790 George III 5
Henry James Pye 1745– 1813 28 July 1790 – 11 August 1813 George III 23
Robert Southey 1774– 1843 12 August 1813[c] – 21 March 1843 George III 30
William Wordsworth 1770– 1850 6 April 1843 – 23 April 1850 Victoria 7
Alfred, Lord Tennyson 1809– 1892 19 November 1850[d] – 6 October 1892 Victoria 42
Alfred Austin 1835– 1913 1 January 1896 – 2 June 1913 Victoria 17
Robert Bridges 1844– 1930 25 July 1913 – 21 April 1930 George V 17
John Masefield 1878– 1967 9 May 1930 – 12 May 1967 George V 37
Cecil Day- Lewis 1904– 1972 2 January 1968 – 22 May 1972 Elizabeth II 4
John Betjeman 1906– 1984 20 October 1972 – 19 May 1984 Elizabeth II 12
Ted Hughes 1930– 1998 28 December 1984– 28 October 1998 Elizabeth II 14
Andrew Motion 1952– 19 May 1999 – May 2009 Elizabeth II 10
Carol Ann Duffy 1955– 1 May 2009 – Elizabeth II - continue

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