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Kentucky


Lyric Poetry Mural, Lyric Poetry (detail), by Henry O. Walker, in the South Corridor, Jefferson Building, Library of Congress.
Photographic print.
[c.1899]

Prints and Photographs Online Catalog.
Library of Congress.

Current Laureate:
Jane Gentry Vance

Start of Term:
April 24, 2007

Position History:
Position established 1926 by act of the General Assembly. First laureate was James T. Cotton Noe. Prior to 1990, poets were appointed by the General Assembly to lifetime terms, and several poets held the position simultaneously. In 1990, new legislation (Kentucky Code, Sec. 153.600) provided for appointment by the governor to a two-year term.

Previous Laureates:
James Thomas Cotton Noe (March 1926-Nov. 9, 1953)
Edward G. Hill (Oct 1., 1928-Nov. 8, 1937)
Louise Scott Phillips (1945-1983)
Edwin Carlisle Litsey (1954-Feb. 3, 1970)
Jesse Hilton Stuart (1954-1984)
Lowell Allen Williams (appointed 1956)
Lillie D. Chaffin (appointed 1974)
Tom Mobley (appointed 1976)
Agnes O'Rear (March 7, 1978-1990)
Clarence "Soc" Clay (appointed 1984)
Lee Pennington (appointed 1984)
Paul Salyers (appointed 1984)
Dale Faughn (appointed 1986)
Jim Wayne Miller (appointed 1986)
Henry E. Pilkenton (appointed 1986)
James H. Patton (appointed 1990)
James Still (1995-1997)
Joy Bale Boone (1997-1999)
Richard Taylor (1999-2001)
James Baker Hall (2001-2003)
Joe Survant (March 2003-2005)
Sena Jeter Naslund (April 14, 2005-April 23, 2007)

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