The South Carolina Poet Laureate is the poet laureate for the state of South Carolina. As of October 2020[update], the position was vacant following the resignation of Marjory Heath Wentworth after 17 years in the post.[1] No term of office is set by law.[2][3] Laureates are appointed by the Governor of South Carolina.
| Poet Laureate of South Carolina | |
|---|---|
Incumbent Marjory Heath Wentworth since 2003 | |
| Type | Poet Laureate |
| Appointer | Governor of South Carolina |
| Term length | None |
| Formation | 1934 |
History
The position was created by a joint resolution of the South Carolina General Assembly in 1934.[2] The term of office is not officially set, but generally it has been a life-time appointment. Governor Richard Wilson Riley changed this some during his term of office, limiting the laureateship to one-year terms.[4]
Responsibilities
The position was not given any clear, specific duties. The honorarium of the position was only $ 1,200 by 1984.[5] However, this honorarium was cut by Governor Mark Sanford in 2003 when Wentworth agreed to serve without the pay.[6]
List of poets laureate
Prior to the official creation of the position in 1934, William Gilmore Simms had been often recognized as South Carolina's poet laureate.[7][8]
The following is a list of official South Carolina poets laureate.[9]
- Archibald Rutledge (1934–1973; appointed by Ibra Charles Blackwood)
- Helen von Kolnitz Hyer (1974–1983; appointed by John C. West)
- Ennis Rees (1984–1985; appointed by Richard Wilson Riley)
- Grace Beacham Freeman (1985–1986; appointed by Richard Wilson Riley)
- Bennie Lee Sinclair (1986–2000; appointed by Richard Wilson Riley)
- Marjory Heath Wentworth (2003–2020; appointed by Mark Sanford)[3]
