Carol Ann Duffy – British Feminist Poet
Britain's New Poet Laureate Creates Three Firsts in the Poetry World
Jun 2, 2009
On 1 May 2009, the announcement of the appointment of Carol Ann Duffy to the honour of Poet Laureate for the Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland created three ‘firsts’ in the 341 year history of this British tradition.
The BBC News online reports that Carol Ann Duffy is the first woman to hold the office, the first Scottish-born person to hold the office, and the first openly gay person to hold the office. The Mail Online (May 2, 2009) specifies that she is bisexual, rather than gay. What is , however, more relevant is that she is a wonderful poet and a very popular choice, as her poetry is very accessible and loved by millions – both her adult work and her extensive body of poetry for children.
What is a Poet Laureate?
While the role has changed over its 341 year history, initially, the Poet Laureate was appointed and commissioned by the monarch to write words of praise about them on birthdays and other special occasions. While there were several earlier poets (including Chaucer, Skelton and Spenser) who may be seen as unofficial poet laureates, the first official Poet Laureate, appointed by letters patent, was John Dryden, appointed by King Charles II.
Dryden was given a pension of 300 pounds plus a butt of wine – a traditional gift that remained for many centuries. In theory, the awarding of the laurel wreath signified the great honour which acknowledged that the recipient was the greatest in their field, but over the centuries some lacklustre poets and sycophants were appointed, often better politicians than poets.
Famous British Poet Laureates
Apart from John Dryden, most of the early holders of the role have shrunk into obscurity. In the 19th Century, however, several poets who held the post captured the public imagination and were widely revered, notably William Wordsworth and Alfred, Lord Tennyson. Tennyson wrote the famous “Charge of the Light Brigade” as a state poem, inspired by newspaper accounts of the event. In the 20th Century, John Masefield, Sir John Betjeman and Ted Hughes stand out.
Changes to the Role of Poet Laureate
The position has slowly moved from being a royal versifier to include composer of odes to celebrate New Year, great victories and weddings and funerals. Gradually, it became a celebration of poetry in the life of the nation and a genuine plaudit for a poet who was seen to encapsulate his or her times.
The most notable change occurred when William Wordsworth accepted the post at 73 years of age, on the condition that he would not be expected to write formal celebratory works ‘on demand’. The acceptance of these conditions meant that the role had clearly moved forward to an emphasis on the glory of poetry, rather than the glory of the crown.
Nevertheless, his successor Lord Tennyson and subsequent other Poet Laureates have found it within themselves to deliver occasional poems.
Andrew Motion – Poet Laureate from 1999 -2009
The most recent incumbent, Andrew Motion wrote, among other things, 8 ‘royal poems’, including a work to celebrate the Queen Mother’s 100th birthday, an elegy on her death and a poem to celebrate the wedding of Prince Charles to Camilla Parker Bowles. He told the Guardian(21 March 2009) that no other writing had been so difficult.
Andrew Motion brought two other changes to the role when he was appointed in 1999. He accepted the role as a 10 year tenure rather than a life time appointment, and this change has been perpetuated in Carol Ann Duffy’s appointment. Motion also made a point of promoting poetry, setting up an extremely popular internet poetry archive, and made many school and university visits.
The New Poet Laureate, Carol Ann Duffy
Carol Ann Duffy was born in the area of Glasgow known as the Gorbals in 1955. The family moved to Stafford, where Carol completed school and then went to the university of Liverpool. She completed an Honours degree in Philosophy in 1977. She started publishing poetry in 1985 with ‘Standing Female Nude’ and has won popular acclaim with such works as ‘The World’s Wife’ (1999) and ‘Rapture’ (2005), winner of the T S Eliot Prize.
Duffy is also an acknowledged playwright , and author of children’s picture books and children’s poetry books, a creative interest she told the BBC News online (May 2001) which developed in response to her own child, Emma, born in 1995. Carol Ann Duffy lives and works in Manchester. On her appointment as Poet Laureate, Duffy told BBC News, “I don’t have to write anything I don’t want to,” and explained that the ministry and the palace indicated that there was no requirement to write ‘royal poems’. Duffy has sealed this by arranging to give her stipend away to the Poetry Society to establish a prize, reinforcing the fact that she is not a paid writer for the crown.
 |
