Charles Wright, U.S. Poet Laureate: A Resource Guide
American poet Charles Wright served as U.S. Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry from 2014-2015 at the Library of Congress. This guide provides access to selected print and online resources related to Wright’s life and work.
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Authors:
Maura Byrne Intern, Literary Initiatives
Anne Holmes, Program Specialist, Literary Initiatives
Peter Armenti, Reference Specialist, Researcher and Reference Services Division
Created: February 20, 2020
Last Updated: April 12, 2022
Introduction
On June 12, 2014, Librarian of Congress James H. Billington announced the appointment of Charles Wright as the 20th Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry. On making the appointment, Dr. Billington said:
Charles Wright is a master of the meditative, image-driven lyric. For almost 50 years his poems have reckoned with what he calls ‘language, landscape, and the idea of God.’ Wright’s body of work combines a Southern sensibility with an allusive expansiveness, for moments of singular musicality.
Wright's inaugural reading as Poet Laureate occurred at the Library on September 25, 2014. His term concluded on April 30, 2015.
This guide provides access to selected print and online resources related to Charles Wright's life and work.