The position of Poet Laureate of Virginia was established December 18, 1936 by the Virginia General Assembly.[1]
Originally, the Poet Laureate of Virginia was appointed without outside consultation by the General Assembly, usually for one year, in a process that has been described being "more of a political thing".[2]
As of 1996, the procedure was changed[2] and most recently codified in 1998 in Virginia Code, Sec. 7.1–43, as follows:[1]
The Virginia General Assembly now confirms the governor's appointment.[3]
Current Poet Laureate:
Former Poets Laureate:
A couple of Virginia poets laureates, one for 1948 and one for 1949, were named today by the house of delegates. If the senate agrees, Thomas Lomax Hunter, "Cavalier" columnist of the Richmond Times-Dispatch. will be the state's official bard this year, and Leigh Hanes, of Roanoke, will have the versifying honors for 1949.