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POET LAUREATE. A poet laureate of Texas, according to a resolution adopted by the Forty-third Texas Legislature in 1933, is appointed biennially by a committee composed of the governor, three senators, and three representatives. Until 1961 a new poet laureate of Texas was appointed every two years; subsequently, the term was reduced to one year, with alternate poets laureate selected in 1953, 1959, and for most of the years since 1963 in which appointments have been made. The honorary appointment carries with it no obligations or requirements. The selecting committee, for the most part, chooses those whose poetry can be understood by the average reader. The first ten poets laureate were Judd Mortimer Lewisqv of Houston (1932-34), Aline T. Michaelisqv of Austin (1934-36), Grace Noll Crowellqv of Dallas (1936-39), Lexie Dean Robertsonqv of Rising Star (1939-41), Nancy Richey Ranson of Dallas (1941-43), Dollilee Davis Smith of Cleburne (1943-45), David Riley Russellqv of Dallas (1945-47), Aline B. Carter of San Antonio (1947-49), Carlos Ashley of Llano (1949-51), and Arthur M. Sampley of Denton (1951-53). Others from 1953 through 1988 have included Mildred Lindsey Railborn of San Angelo (1953-55), Margaret Royalty Edwardsqv of Waco (1957-59), Jenny Lind Porter of Austin (1964-65), Dr. Terry Fontenot of Port Arthur (1971-72), William D. Barney of Fort Worth (1982-83), Ruth E. Reuther of Wichita Falls (1987-88), and Vassar Miller of Houston (1988-89). After this no further appointments had been made through 1992.
Bibliography: Margaret Royalty Edwards, Poets
Laureate of Texas (San Antonio: Naylor, 1956; rev. ed., 1966).
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