The American Poet Laureate: A History of U.S. Poetry and the State

The American Poet Laureate explores how the state has been the silent center of poetic production in the United States since World War II, highlighting the careers of Elizabeth Bishop, Robert Frost, Gwendolyn Brooks, Robert Pinsky, Tracy K. Smith, Juan Felipe Herrera, and Joy Harjo. It also reveals how these state poets participated in national arts programming during the Cold War, using previously unexplored archival materials from the Library of Congress and the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 328 pages
Publication date: 16 May 2023
Publisher: Columbia University Press

The American Poet Laureate delves into the captivating history of the United States' poetic production since World War II, shedding light on the state's pivotal role as the silent center of this artistic endeavor. This groundbreaking work is the first comprehensive account of the national poetry office, the U.S. poet laureate, highlighting the remarkable careers of Elizabeth Bishop, Robert Frost, Gwendolyn Brooks, Robert Pinsky, Tracy K. Smith, Juan Felipe Herrera, and Joy Harjo, who have graced the halls of the nation's Capitol. Moreover, it explores the profound ways in which these state poets engaged with national arts programming during the Cold War era, adding a new dimension to our understanding of this pivotal period.

To uncover the rich tapestry of this literary history, author Amy Paeth has delved into previously unexplored archival materials housed at the Library of Congress and the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library. Through meticulous research and analysis, she unveils the intricate interactions between federal bodies such as the Central Intelligence Agency, the State Department, and the National Endowment for the Arts, as well as literary organizations and private patrons, including the enigmatic "Prozac heiress" Ruth Lilly.

What emerges from this captivating narrative is the profound consolidation of public and private interests that played a crucial role in the development of state verse culture. This consolidation is evident in the first National Poetry Festival in 1962, which followed Robert Frost's iconic "Mission to Moscow" and subsequently became dominant in the late 1990s and early 2000s. This festival showcased the power of poetry to transcend boundaries and connect people, serving as a testament to the unique role that poetry played in the cultural front of the Cold War.

The American Poet Laureate stands as a significant contribution to the growing body of institutional and sociological approaches to U.S. literary production in the postwar era. It underscores the profound impact of poetry on shaping cultural narratives and demonstrates how poetry has often been overlooked or underappreciated in the broader context of Cold War history. By shedding light on the state's silent center of poetic production and the profound ways in which state poets engaged with national arts programming, this book offers a fresh perspective on the rich tapestry of American literature and culture.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780231194396