Simon Armitage: Poet Laureate

Today is the birthday of our current Poet Laureate, Simon Armitage, who took office in May 2019. 

The tradition has its origins in James I of England granting a pension to Ben Jonson in 1616, followed by other court poets, but the very 1st official Poet Laureate, John Dryden, was appointed in 1668 by Charles II. He's also the only one to have been dismissed from the post, for refusing to take the Oath of Allegiance to William & Mary when they came to the throne.

There are no great stipulations, except an expectation of writing verses around significant events. Simon's 1st poem-on-the-job, 'Conquistadors', commemorated the 1969 moon landing. 


Supporting the Institute of Cancer Research, he had his poem inscribed on a pill normally prescribed for treatment:

'Out of the Blue', was written in response to watching T.V. coverage of people still trapped in the Twin Towers on 9/11. 

In March of this year, he wrote, 'Lockdown', in response to the current coronavirus pandemic. And, as a Yorkshire-man, lent his poetic support to the Northern rail Network in a suicide prevention initiative. Lovely to see his poem: Rain, etched into rock by Pip Hall, on what's known as 'Stanza Stones', in the area above Littleborough, near Blackstone Edge Reservoir.

He has done a lot to make poetry more popular to younger people, and those who wouldn't otherwise be drawn to poetry.