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Howard Nemerov, U.S. Poet Laureate: A Resource Guide

About Howard Nemerov at the Library of Congress

Howard Nemerov served as the Library of Congress's third Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry from 1988-1990. The links below provide more information about his activities at the Library, including webcasts, blog posts, and related news releases.

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

Nemerov opened his term as Poet Laureate with a reading in the Coolidge Auditorium on October 3rd, 1988.

Nemerov served two terms as poet laureate, finishing his duties in 1990. During his tenure as laureate, Nemerov participated in many poetry readings and lectures.

Nemerov was the second poet to serve as both Consultant in Poetry and Poet Laureate. On February 20, 1963, more than twenty-five years before Nemerov was named poet laureate, Librarian of Congress L. Quincy Mumford named him the 14th Consultant in Poetry to the Library of Congress. Nemerov served one term as consultant, ending his duties in spring 1964.

Library of Congress press releases about Howard Nemerov's poet laureate appointment, activities, and events are listed below.


Howard Nemerov has been featured on both the Poetry and Literature Center's blog, From the Catbird Seat. Those blog posts are linked below:


The Library of Congress features several recordings of Howard Nemerov reading and discussing his poetry and the poetry of other poets. These are listed below.