Minnesota’s First Poet Laureate

Posted by Linda Sue Grimes Feb 28, 2008

About becoming Minnesot's first poet laureate, Robert Bly stated, "They wrote to me and said something about it, and I said that if if doesn't involve any work, I'll do it."

Robert Bly’s literary output reveals that same work ethic.

Appointed by Governor Tim Pawlenty

Bly was appointed to the newly established position by Governor Tim Pawlenty. A 12-member committee of the Minnesota Humanities Center compiled a list of choices for poet laureate. They sent their short list of three to the governor, who then selected Bly. This laureateship is an unpaid position, so the tax-papers will not be burdened. For more information about Bly, please visit “Imagism vs Picturism,” and “Robert Bly’s Personal Archive.”