POETLAUREATE

Poet laureate

A poet laureate is a poet officially appointed by a government or conferring institution, who is often expected to compose poems for special events and occasions. It is a very ancient tradition, dating back to the first days of classical civilization, to associate laurel with proficiency in arts and poetry, or with victory. The Italians Albertino Mussato and Francesco Petrarca were the first to be crowned poets laureate after the classical age, respectively in 1315 and 1342. In Britain, the term dates from the appointment of Bernard André by Henry VII of England. In modern times, the title may also be conferred by an organization such as the Poetry Foundation, ...

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poet laureate

Noun

  1. A poet officially appointed by a government, often expected to compose poems for state occasions and other government events
  2. One who received an honorable degree in grammar, including poetry and rhetoric, at the English universities; -- so called as being presented with a wreath of laurel
  3. Formerly, an officer of the king's household, whose business was to compose an ode annually for the king's birthday, and other suitable occasions; now, a poet officially distinguished by such honorary title, the office being a sinecure. It is said this title was first given in the time of


The above text is a snippet from Wiktionary: poet laureate
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