The Poet Laureateship of Jamaica is an honorary position in Jamaica, used from 1933 to 1962 and again since 2014, when it was re-established.
History The first poet laureateship of Jamaica was established when the honour was posthumously awarded to Thomas MacDermot in October 1933. The title was initially bestowed by the Poetry League Society of Jamaica, founded by J. E. Clare McFarlane (later the second laureate) in September 1923 as a branch of the British Empire Poetry League. The National Poetry Society of Jamaica named only two poets laureate before the title fell into disuse in 1962 with Jamaica's independence. Claude McKay was also styled a poet laureate before 1962, though according to the National Library of Jamaica (NLJ) this was an unofficial designation.
The award was re-established in April 2014 with the inauguration of Mervyn Morris, and the position has since been occupied by three other Jamaican poets, each serving for a period of three years. Lorna Goodison served in the post from 2017 to 2020, succeeded in 2021 by Olive Senior and, as of 2024, Kwame Dawes.
Selection Poets laureate since 2014 have been selected by blind ballots cast by members of a nine person committee, these are: the chair of the Board of Management of the NLJ, the National Librarian of the NLJ, representative of the Department of Literatures in English of the University of the West Indies, Mona, a representative of the Poetry Society of Jamaica, an executive director of the Institute of Jamaica, a representative of the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission, a representative of the Entertainment Advisory Board, a representative of the Book Industry Association of Jamaica and a representative of the Creative Industries Commission.
Insignia and ceremony In its first incarnation, poets laureate were crowned with a wreath of Guaiacum officinale leaves as well as robed at their inaugurations, which were held at the Ward Theatre in Kingston.
In its current form, laureates are bestowed with a breast star of sterling silver decorated with gold plating and green enamel, depicting a ring of breadfruit leaves. In the centre is Jamaica's coat of arms in gold surrounded by the words "Poet Laureate of Jamaica" in gold lettering upon black enamel. The star is accompanied by a black sash, which is edged with thin gold and green comparisons. A miniature order in the style of the breast star with a ribbon like that of the sash is also bestowed upon the recipient for wear with white tie.
Poets laureate Poet laureateBirth and deathDates of laureateshipAwarded byThomas MacDermot1870–1933October 1933J. E. Clare McFarlane1894–1962April 7, 1953 – October, 13 1962Mervyn Morris1937–May 22, 2014 – 2017Wykeham McNeillLorna Goodison1947–May 17, 2017 – 2020Sir Patrick AllenOlive Senior1941–March 17, 2021 – 2024Kwame Dawes1962–January 22, 2024 – 2027Steadman Fuller References