~ Bly is recognized as a world-renowned poet, editor and translator ~

Saint Paul – Governor Tim Pawlenty today named Robert Bly the first official poet laureate of the State of Minnesota. Bly will be the primary spokesperson, supporter, and promoter of poetry in the state.

“Robert Bly is a Minnesota treasure,” Governor Pawlenty said. “His many works, impressive 40 year career, and national renown will help promote poetry in Minnesota.”

Bly was born in Madison, Minnesota in 1926. After serving two years in the Navy, he attended St. Olaf College, Harvard University, and received his M.A. from the University of Iowa. Bly received a Fulbright grant in 1956 to travel to Norway and translate Norwegian poetry into English. He later began a literary magazine for poetry translation in the United States which introduced many poets to the writers of his generation. Bly currently lives in Minneapolis.

The Academy of American Poets says, “As a poet, editor, and translator, Bly has had a profound impact on the shape of American poetry.” He is the author of more than thirty books of poetry, including The Light Around the Body (1967), which won the National Book Award. Bly has also translated Henrik Ibsen's classic play Peer Gynt, now showing at the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis.

“Minnesota has a wonderful literary history, so it is a great honor to be our state’s first poet laureate,” Bly said.

The poet laureate may promote the reading and writing of poetry, preside over poetry awards and contests, and write poetry or select poets to compose works for significant state occasions.

The Legislature created the position of poet laureate in 2007. The Minnesota Humanities Center was charged with soliciting nominations and making recommendations to the Governor. The individual appointed as poet laureate serves until the Governor appoints another person.

An 11-member nominating committee representing various literary groups and organizations throughout Minnesota made recommendations based on several criteria:

· Admirable and proven level of ability in writing poetry.

· History of having published individual poems and/or books of poetry.

· Demonstrated excellence in promoting awareness and enjoyment of poetry in Minnesota.

· Age 21 or older and a resident of Minnesota for at least one year prior to being nominated.

Founded in 1971, the Minnesota Humanities Center is a nonprofit organization affiliated with the National Endowment for the Humanities. The Center provides leadership, resources, and programs that advance the study of the humanities and enhance the work of schools, colleges, and cultural organizations.

While Bly is Minnesota’s first official poet laureate, others have had the unofficial title in the past.

Margaret Ball Dickson was named poet laureate of Minnesota by the national Poet Laureate League in 1934. Governor Floyd B. Olson congratulated Mrs. Dickson and recognized her title in a letter. Laurene Tibbetts-Larson was chosen unofficially by readers of the Minneapolis Star in 1973. She was “appointed” Minnesota’s poet laureate by Minneapolis Star columnist Abe Altrowitz. The first bill to make the position official was introduced in 1974, but it did not pass the legislature.