Howard Nemerov was the second poet to serve as both Consultant in Poetry and Poet Laureate. On February 20, 1963, Librarian of Congress L. Quincy Mumford named Howard Nemerov the fourteenth Consultant in Poetry to the Library of Congress. Nemerov served one term as Consultant, ending his duties in spring 1964.

On May 16, 1988, Librarian of Congress James H. Billington appointed Nemerov the third Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry. In making the announcement, Dr. Billington said,

Howard Nemerov has given America a remarkable range of poetry from the profound to the poignant to the comic. He is also an outstanding critic, essayist, fiction writer, and teacher.

Nemerov took up his duties as poet laureate in fall 1988, opening the Library’s annual literary season on October 3rd with a reading of his work in the Coolidge Auditorium. Nemerov served two terms as poet laureate, giving his final reading at the Library on May 3, 1990.

This guide provides an overview of print and online resources related to Howard Nemerov's life and work. To suggest additions to this guide, please contact the Library's poetry and literature librarians.