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.