Texas Poets Laureate
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Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 82, 43rd Legislature, Regular Session (1933) authorized appointment of a committee by the Lieutenant Governor and the Speaker of the House to designate an outstanding and recognized poet, who is also a citizen of the state of Texas, as poet laureate. Currently, the state Poet Laureate is selected for a one-year appointment by the Texas Poet Laureate, State Musician and State Artist Committee.
According to The Handbook of Texas Online, the honorary appointment carries with it no obligations or requirements.
1932-1934 - Judd Mortimer Lewis, Houston
1934-1936 - Aline T. Michaelis, Austin
1936-1939 - Grace Noll Crowell, Dallas
1939-1941 - Lexie Dean Robertson, Rising Star
1941-1943 - Nancy Richey Ranson, Dallas
1943-1945 - Dollilee Davis Smith, Cleburne
1945-1947 - David Riley Russell, Dallas
1947-1949 - Aline B. Carter, San Antonio
1949-1951 - Carlos Ashley, Llano
1951-1953 - Arthur M. Sampley, Denton
1953-1955 - Mildred Lindsey Raiborn, San Angelo - Dee Walker, Texas City, alternate
1955-1957 - Pierre Bernard Hill, Hunt
1957-1959 - Margaret Royalty Edwards, Waco
1959-1961 - J. V. Chandler, Kingsville - Edna Coe Majors, Colorado City, alternate
1961 - Lorena Simon, Port Arthur
1962 - Marvin Davis Winsett, Dallas
1963 - Gwendolyn Bennett Pappas, Houston - Vassar Miller, Houston, alternate
1964-1965 - Jenny Lind Porter, Austin - Edith Rayzor Canant, Texas City, alternate
1966 - Bessie Maas Rowe, Port Arthur - Grace Marie Scott, Abilene, alternate
1967 - William. E. Bard, Dallas - Bessie Maas Rowe, Port Arthur, alternate
1968 - Kathryn Henry Harris, Waco - Sybil Leonard Armes, El Paso, alternate
1969-1970 - Anne B. Marely, Austin - Rose Davidson Speer, Brady, alternate
1970-1971 - Robby K. Mitchell, McKinney - Faye Carr Adams, Dallas, alternate
1971-1972 - Terry Fontenot, Port Arthur - Faye Carr Adams, Dallas, alternate
1972-1973 - Mrs. Clark Gresham, Burkburnett - Marion McDaniel, Sidney, alternate
1973-1974 - Violette Newton, Beaumont - Stella Woodall, San Antonio, alternate
1974-1975 - Lila Todd O'Neil, Port Arthur - C. W. Miller, San Antonio, alternate
1975-1976 - Ethel Osborn Hill, Port Arthur - Gene Shuford, Denton, alternate
1976-1977 - Florice Stripling Jeffers, Burkburnett - Vera L. Eckert, San Angelo, alternate
1977-1978 - Ruth Carruth, Vernon - Joy Gresham Hagstrom, Burkburnett, alternate
1978-1979 - Patsy Stodghill, Dallas - Dorothy B. Elfstroman, Galveston, alternate
1979-1980 - Dorothy B. Elfstroman, Galveston - Ruth Carruth, Vernon, alternate
1980-1981 - Weems S. Dykes, McCamey - Mildred Crabtree Speer, Amarillo, alternate
1981-1982 - none designated
1982-1983 - William D. Barney, Fort Worth - Vassar Miller, Houston, alternate
1983-1984 - none designated
1984-1985 - none designated
1985-1986 - none designated
1986-1987 - none designated
1987-1988 - Ruth E. Reuther, Wichita Falls
1988-1989 - Vassar Miller, Houston
1989-1990 - none designated
1990-1991 - none designated
1991-1992 - none designated
1992-1993 - none designated
1993-1995 - Mildred Baass, Victoria
1995-1996 - none designated
1996-1997 - none designated
1997-1998 - none designated
1998-1999 - none designated
2000 - James Hoggard, Wichita Falls
2001 - Walter McDonald, Lubbock
2003 - Jack Myers, Mesquite
2004 - Cleatus Rattan, Cisco
2005 - Alan Birkelbach
2006 - Red Steagall
2007 - Steven Fromholz, Kopperl
2008 - Larry D. Thomas, Houston
2009 - Paul Ruffin, Huntsville
2010 - Karla K. Morton, Denton
2011 - David M. Parsons, Conroe
2012 - Jan Seale, McAllen
2013 - Rosemary Catacalos, San Antonio
2014 - Dean Young, Austin
2015 - Carmen Tafolla, San Antonio
2016 - Laurie Ann Guerrero, San Antonio
2017 - Jenny Browne, San Antonio
2018 - Carol Coffee Reposa, San Antonio
2019 - Carrie Fountain, Austin
2020 - Emmy Pérez, McAllen
2021 - Cyrus Cassells, San Marcos
2022 - Lupe Mendez, Houston
2023 - ire’ne lara silva, Austin
2024 - Amanda Johnston, Round Rock
SOURCES: Office of the Secretary of the Senate; The New Handbook of Texas; Texas Almanac; Poets Laureate of Texas by Margaret Royalty Edwards; Texas Commission on the Arts