Donald Hall named new U.S. Poet Laureate

Librarian of Congress James Billington announced this week that Donald Hall will be the new American Poet Laureate this year, following Ted Kooser’s two years in the position. Like Kooser, Hall comes from rural, regional America -- Hall lives on his great-grandfather’s farm in New Hampshire, where he spent his childhood summers, while Kooser is from Nebraska, the Great Plains heartland of the country. Hall hasn’t yet said what he’s going to do with the laureateship -- he says “It’s an opportunity to plug poetry,” and he’s sure to come up with something.

from The New York Times:
“Outspoken New Englander Is New Poet Laureate,” by Dinitia Smith

from The Washington Post:
“Set to Verse: Donald Hall Is New Poet Laureate,” by Bob Thompson

from All Things Considered (National Public Radio):
“U.S. Poetry’s New Chief: Donald Hall,” audio interview with Robert Siegel + three poem readings

from the Library of Congress:
“About the Poet Laureate, Donald Hall”

Related articles:
Profile of Donald Hall
Poets Laureate of the U.S.A.
More on the new American Poet Laureate, Ted Kooser (2004)
Profile of Ted Kooser
Louise Glück named U.S. Poet Laureate (2003)
Profile of Louise Glück
Profile of Robert Pinsky (Laureate 1997 - 2000)