The time has come to begin the search to find a new poet Laureate, the first for the 21st century. Culture Secretary Andy Burnham today announced that preparations for the appointment are underway, with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport consulting widely in the poetry sector.
The present Laureate, Professor Andrew Motion, was appointed by HM The Queen in May 1999. He became the first in history to be appointed for a fixed ten-year term. His tenure comes to an end next year and DCMS is seeking advice from academics, key poetry organisations and others in the poetry sector from the UK and Commonwealth.
Andy Burnham said:
“I have nothing but praise for the way Andrew Motion has interpreted the role – not only has he reflected the mood of the nation by writing poems in response to public events, but his enthusiasm in championing poetry has been an inspiration. When he was appointed, he said that he would use his tenure to obtain a higher profile for poetry in education and in society more generally. His commitment to realising that aim has been admirable.
“The Laureateship itself is such a long and fascinating tradition, and what’s wonderful about it, if you look at past Laureates, is that they have all approached the role in distinct ways. So it really is exciting to be looking to the future and to appoint a successor.”
Since his appointment, Andrew Motion has approached the Laureateship in the widest possible sense, writing poems to address public events as well as Royal occasions, including the 100th birthday and death of Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother, The Queen's Golden Jubilee in 2002 and The Queen's 80th birthday in 2006. He has also invested a great deal of time and energy in educational advocacy work, making frequent visits to schools and colleges, and also co-founding the Poetry Archive, an online collection of poets reading their work.
Andrew Motion said:
“My time as Poet Laureate has been fulfilling, challenging, rewarding, testing and fascinatingly full of opportunities to promote, protect and act as an ambassador for poetry.
“I'm especially glad to have had the chance to found the Poetry Archive with Richard Carrington. I warmly welcome the discussion that will now follow about the future of the role, and about poetry itself.”
The honorary Royal post came into existence in 1668 when King Charles II gave John Dryden the official title. Past Laureates have included Dryden, Wordsworth, Tennyson, Betjeman and Hughes. The role has changed over time – originally the office involved writing court odes to mark occasions such as the Sovereign's birthday, but today the position is honorary.
Following the death of Ted Hughes, Motion’s predecessor, it was decided that the Laureateship should not remain a lifetime appointment, but should be a fixed ten-year term to give more poets the opportunity to serve.
http://www.dcms.gov.uk/reference_library/media_releases/5621.aspx