This guides provides a history of state poets laureate of the United States. It includes lists of current and past poets laureate for each state as well as the District of Columbia, and addresses many frequently asked questions received by the Library of Congress about state poets laureate.

The information on the following pages was compiled by consulting historical newspaper articles, state statutes, and the websites and staff of many organizations, including state arts councils, state libraries, and the National Federation of State Poetry Societies.