South Carolina Poet Laureates

A Poet Laureate is an officially appointed poet who promotes poetry through readings, workshops, and events. Most U.S. states have a state Poet Laureate, except for Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.

South Carolina's Poet Laureate position was established in 1934 and is appointed by the Governor. While responsibilities vary by state, the role generally includes encouraging poetry appreciation and participation. Cities may also have their own Poet Laureates such as:

  • Charleston: Marcus Amaker
  • Columbia: Jennifer Bartell Boykin
  • Greenville: Glenis Redmond / Anna Castro Spratt* (Greenville also appoints a Teen Poet Laureate)
  • Rock Hill: Angelo Geter

 

Cover of Deep River: The Complete Poems of Archibald Rutledge

Deep River: The Complete Poems of Archibald Rutledge

Archibald Rutledge

South Carolina's first state Poet Laureate.  This volume contains: Heart of the wildwood -- Deep river -- Sonnets -- The valiant -- Mortal toils.

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Cover of What the Wind Forgets: A Woman's Heart Remembers

What the Wind Forgets: A Woman's Heart Remembers

Helen von Kolnitz Hyer

 South Carolina's second state Poet Laureate. She was a founding member of the Poetry Society of South Carolina and was the Curator of Public Instruction at the Charleston Museum.

This volume includes:  AMERICAN CALLING. Enchantment -- No Pegasus -- Moon-glow -- Clairvoyance -- The Sea -- Command performance -- Tsunami -- Hunter's Moon -- Moon glade -- De Profundis -- "Full moon - High tide" (an Irish legend) -- Antiquarian -- Consider this -- Insight -- Paradox -- Destiny -- Lonely woods -- Out of the shadows -- Caterpillar -- Deplorable to learn -- Meditation -- All quiet things -- Hooked rugs -- Easter Monday -- Night prowler -- Mountain garland -- Vietnam--Warfare limited -- Home welcome -- Gossummer -- "So they say" -- Challenge -- Thanks for everything! -- Talisman -- Bethlehem -- Confirmation -- Prayer -- Autumn perspective -- Prescience -- CYCLES FOR LOVE. How can we sing? -- Gift -- Fulfillment -- Dirge for love -- Release -- Lesson -- Renascence -- Reprieve -- Tolerance -- To a knight errant -- "Father into thy hands--" -- Retrospect -- Salvage -- Song for seasons -- Song for an eagle -- Infrangible -- On going away -- For someone -- Reply -- Weaver -- Sea-change -- In absentia -- Farewell to charms -- Questionnaire -- To the valiant -- Not always sorrow.

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Cover of Fast Freddie Frog, and Other Tongue-Twister Rhymes

Fast Freddie Frog, and Other Tongue-Twister Rhymes

Ennis Rees

South Carolina's third state Poet Laureate. He was a versatile poet, author, and educator who taught English at the University of South Carolina. He wrote poetry, translations, literary critism, books on teaching poetry, and popular children's books. 

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Cover of Not Set in Stone

Not Set in Stone

Grace Beachman Freeman

South Carolina's fourth state Poet Laureate. An poet and educator, she also wrote plays and radio and television dramas. 

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Cover of The Endangered: New and Selected Poems

The Endangered: New and Selected Poems

Bennie Lee Sinclair

South Carolina's fifth state Poet Laureate, she was a poet and educator who published her first poem at the age of six. She also composed poetry for formal state occasions, most notably for Governor Jim Hodges' inauguration - a poem that also celebrated the end of the millennium. 

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Cover of One River, One Boat: Occasional Poems and Other Stories

One River, One Boat: Occasional Poems and Other Stories

Marjory Heath Wentworth

South Carolina's sixth state Poet Laureate, she served from 2003 to 2020. In 2021, she received the South Carolina Governor's Award for the Arts. 

Marjory Wentworth's compilation of work with subject matter spanning from war, to grief and loss, to politics, and more. Wentworth made national headlines when former SC Governor Nikki Haley removed her poem, "One River, One Boat" from her inauguration program schedule in 2015.

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Upcoming Event

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Discover the State Library: Poetry Across South Carolina

April 29, 2025, 1:00 PM

Please join us to learn about the many South Carolina-related print and digital resources available for research through the South Carolina State Library. In this webinar, we'll explore the poetry of South Carolina. Hear about our award-winning poets, verses from state history, collaborations by writing groups, and more.

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