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Charles Wright, U.S. Poet Laureate: A Resource Guide

American poet Charles Wright served as U.S. Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry from 2014-2015 at the Library of Congress. This guide provides access to selected print and online resources related to Wright’s life and work.

Introduction

Charles Wright, U.S. Poet Laureate, 2014-2016. Photo credit: Holly Wright.

On June 12, 2014, Librarian of Congress James H. Billington announced the appointment of Charles Wright as the 20th Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry. On making the appointment, Dr. Billington said:

Charles Wright is a master of the meditative, image-driven lyric. For almost 50 years his poems have reckoned with what he calls ‘language, landscape, and the idea of God.’ Wright’s body of work combines a Southern sensibility with an allusive expansiveness, for moments of singular musicality.

Wright's inaugural reading as Poet Laureate occurred at the Library on September 25, 2014. His term concluded on April 30, 2015.

This guide provides access to selected print and online resources related to Charles Wright's life and work.

To suggest additions to this guide, please contact the Researcher and Reference Services Division.

Contact Information for Charles Wright

If you would like to contact Charles Wright please direct your inquiries as suggested below:

  • Permissions Requests: Contact the publisher of the poem or work written by Wright that you'd like to use.
  • Reference Questions: Use the Library's Ask a Librarian service.