Laureate means "crowned with laurel," which refers to someone who has achieved great success or is connected to literary awards or military honors. The term is used to describe people who have received the Nobel Prize, the Gandhi Peace Award, the Student Peace Prize, famous poets, and former music directors of orchestras who still work with them in some way.
History
In ancient Greece, the bay laurel (Laurus nobilis) was considered sacred to the god Apollo. Because of this, sprigs of the plant were used to make crowns or wreaths given to poets and heroes as symbols of honor. This tradition of using laurel for recognition has continued throughout history. In the past, "laureate letters" referred to messages announcing a victory. The term "laureate" was also used officially by universities to describe distinguished poets, such as John Skelton.
The name "baccalaureate" for a bachelor's degree comes from a mistaken belief that it originated from the Latin phrase bacca lauri, meaning "laurel berry." Though this connection is incorrect, it still reflects the idea of honor linked to laurel.
The term "poet laureate" originally described any poet who received recognition. Over time, in England, it became a specific title for a poet connected to the royal family. The first person to hold this position was Ben Jonson, appointed by King Charles I in 1617. Though Jonson’s role was not officially named "poet laureate," it was similar. This title developed from earlier traditions where poets and musicians were part of a king’s court. For example, King Richard the Lionheart had a poet named Gulielmus Peregrinus, and King Henry III had a poet named Master Henry. In the 15th century, John Kay called himself "humble poet laureate" for King Edward IV. Kings also supported poets by giving them money or special privileges, such as when Edward III gave Chaucer a pension and wine, and Elizabeth I gave Spenser a pension. W. Hamilton listed several poets, including Chaucer, Gower, John Kay, and others, as "volunteer Laureates."
Sir William Davenant took over from Jonson in 1638. Later, in 1670, John Dryden was officially named poet laureate by King Charles II, along with a pension of £300 and a supply of Canary Islands wine. After this, the role became a regular position, though the benefits varied. Some later poets, like T. Shadwell, Nahum Tate, and Alfred Tennyson, were known for writing poems for royal birthdays and holidays. The position gained importance when poets like Southey, Wordsworth, and Tennyson held it. However, the role sometimes lost its prestige, especially after Tennyson’s death, when some people believed no one could replace him. Despite this, the tradition continued because it was seen as an important link between literature and the government. The poet laureate was expected to write formal poems for royal events, but this duty was not always required after the death of Henry James Pye. Some poets, like Wordsworth, refused to write such poems, while others, like Tennyson, did so frequently. The benefits of the role changed over time. Ben Jonson first received a pension of 100 marks and later a supply of Canary wine. Pye received £27 instead of wine, and Tennyson earned £72 a year from the Lord Chamberlain’s department and £27 from the Lord Steward’s department instead of a supply of wine.
In May 2023, D'Arcy Drollinger was named San Francisco’s first drag laureate. This role involves representing San Francisco’s LGBTQ+, arts, nightlife, and entertainment communities. In July 2023, Pickle Drag Queen became West Hollywood’s first drag laureate on International Drag Day, July 16.