April is National Poetry Month

The month of April is recognized nationally as Poetry Month.  By legislation enacted in 1934, Joint Resolution Number 736, the first Poet Laureate for the State was appointed.  Since this legislation was enacted, there have been six individuals named as Poet Laureate for South Carolina.   They are as follows:

Archibald Rutledge – appointed in 1934 by this legislation and served until 1973

Helen von Kolnitz Hyer – appointed by Governor John West in 1974 and served until 1983

Ennis Rees – appointed by Governor Richard W. Riley in 1984 and served until 1985

Grace Beacham Freeman – appointed by Governor Richard W. Riley in 1985 and served until 1986

Bennie Lee Sinclair – appointed by Governor Richard W. Riley in 1986 and served until 2000

Marjory Wentworth – appointed by Governor Mark Sanford in 2003 and currently serving