| Poet Laureate of South Carolina | |
|---|---|
Incumbent Marjory Heath Wentworth since 2003 | |
| Type | Poet Laureate |
| Appointer | Governor of South Carolina |
| Term length | None |
| Formation | 1934 |
The South Carolina Poet Laureate is the poet laureate for the state of South Carolina. As of October 2020 [update], the position was vacant following the resignation of Marjory Heath Wentworth after 17 years in the post. [1] No term of office is set by law. [2] [3] Laureates are appointed by the Governor of South Carolina.
History
The position was created by a joint resolution of the South Carolina General Assembly in 1934. [2] The term of office is not officially set, but generally it has been a life-time appointment. Governor Richard Wilson Riley changed this some during his term of office, limiting the laureateship to one-year terms. [4]
Responsibilities
The position was not given any clear, specific duties. The honorarium of the position was only $ 1,200 by 1984. [5] However, this honorarium was cut by Governor Mark Sanford in 2003 when Wentworth agreed to serve without the pay. [6]
List of poets laureate
Prior to the official creation of the position in 1934, William Gilmore Simms had been often recognized as South Carolina's poet laureate. [7] [8]
The following is a list of official South Carolina poets laureate. [9]
- Archibald Rutledge (1934–1973; appointed by Ibra Charles Blackwood)
- Helen von Kolnitz Hyer (1974–1983; appointed by John C. West)
- Ennis Rees (1984–1985; appointed by Richard Wilson Riley)
- Grace Beacham Freeman (1985–1986; appointed by Richard Wilson Riley)
- Bennie Lee Sinclair (1986–2000; appointed by Richard Wilson Riley)
- Marjory Heath Wentworth (2003–2020; appointed by Mark Sanford) [3]
See also
References
- ^ "Poet Laureate". State of South Carolina. Retrieved December 8, 2012.
- ^ a b "South Carolina". U.S. State Poets Laureate. Library of Congress. Retrieved December 8, 2012.
- ^ a b Hogan, Maura (October 2, 2020), "SC poet laureate Marjory Wentworth resigns from the position she has held for 17 years", The Post and Courier, retrieved 2020-10-11
- ^ "Greenville native tapped as state's poet laureate". The Rock Hill Herald. AP. September 16, 1986. Retrieved December 20, 2012.
- ^ "Wanted: Poet Extraordinaire To Fill S.C. Laureate Post". The Charleston News & Courier. AP. January 2, 1984. Retrieved December 19, 2012.
- ^ Stanton, David (June 18, 2003). "Gov. Sanford releases budget vetoes". WIS TV channel 10. Retrieved December 20, 2012.
- ^ "Simms, William Gilmore (1806-1870) (Two items from William Gilmore Simms) Decimalized". The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History. Retrieved December 20, 2012.
- ^ Elkins, J. "William Gilmore Simms". Lawyers and Poetry. J. Elkins. Retrieved December 20, 2012.
- ^ "Poet Laureate". South Carolina Arts Commission. Retrieved December 8, 2012.