Michigan
Position History:
Position does not currently exist. Edgar
A. Guest was the first and only Michigan Poet Laureate, a title he held from
1952 until his death in 1959. Guest was appointed Poet Laureate through Senate
Concurrent Resolution No. 38 (1952) of the Michigan Legislature. The text of
the resolution follows:
A concurrent resolution designating Edgar A. Guest the Poet
Laureate of the state of Michigan. Whereas, Thousands of people
in the State of Michigan throughout the years have looked to
the poems of Edgar A. Guest for moral support in times of stress
and have enjoyed his subtle humor and homespun philosophy; and
Whereas, The poems of Edgar A. Guest have depicted the daily
lives of the people of the state of Michigan, and have reflected
the American principles on which the United States of America
is founded, now therefore be it Resolved by the Senate (the House
of Representatives concurring), That the members of the Michigan
Legislature, convened in the Regular Session of 1952, are proud
to bestow on Edgar A. Guest the title of Poet Laureate of the
state of Michigan, with the knowledge that Edgar A. Guest at
all times will truly reflect in his poems that people of the
state of Michigan in their daily lives; and be it further Resolved
that a suitable copy of this resolution be transmitted to Edgar
A. Guest. The concurrent resolution was considered and adopted.
(Journal of the Senate of the State of
Michigan, Regular Session of 1952, v. 1, March 25, p.
788.)
Will
Carleton (1845–1912) is sometimes referred to as the
first Poet Laureate of Michigan. As Jerome A. Fallon writes in
his biography of Carleton (Will Carleton:
Poet of the People, Philadelphia:
Xlibris, c2004, p. 250)
Before his triumphal year of 1871 had ended, Will was being
referred to by the titles which would identify him for the rest
of his life and career: "The Poet of Michigan," later
amended to "The Poet Laureate of Michigan," and "The
Farmer's Poet."
The Library of Congress has not been able to locate a bill or
resolution naming Will Carleton Michigan's Poet Laureate. It appears
that he held an honorary, unofficial position as Michigan's Poet
Laureate based on his widespread popularity, not on legislation
created to honor him as such.
The Michigan Legislature is
currently considering Senate
Bill 0181 (2005), which would establish a position of Michigan
State Poet Laureate The bill was passed by the Senate on December
13, 2005, and on June 7, 2006 was referred to a second reading
in the House.
Further Resources:
Merk, George P. "Edgar A. Guest: Poet of the People." Michigan
Magazine (March/April 2004): 38-49.
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