Rita Dove
U.S. Poet Laureate; Special Bicentennial Consultant · 1993-1995; 1999-2000 · as printed by the Library of Congress
Our reading written by Tale of the Muse
Rita Dove, born in Akron, Ohio, in 1952, served as U.S. Poet Laureate from 1993 to 1995 and returned as one of three Special Bicentennial Consultants in 1999 and 2000. The Library notes her Pulitzer Prize for Thomas and Beulah (1986), her 11 collections of poetry, and a term as Poet Laureate of the Commonwealth of Virginia from 2004 to 2006.
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Appointment and term
U.S. Poet Laureate, 1993-1995
Special Bicentennial Consultant, 1999-2000
Life
Rita Dove was born in Akron, Ohio, in 1952.
She was also appointed the Poet Laureate of the Commonwealth of Virginia from 2004-2006
Books and honors
She is the author of 11 collections of poetry, most recently “Playlist from the Apocalypse: Poems” (2021).
“Thomas and Beulah” (1986), winner of the Pulitzer Prize
Other
In 1999, Librarian of Congress James H. Billington appointed three Special Consultants ( Rita Dove , W. S. Merwin , and Louise Glück ) to assist with the poetry programs of the Bicentennial Year.
Source
All quotes on this page come from the Library of Congress through its JSON API. All poets laureate →