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Show f How It Started By Jean Newton , I J "POET LAUREATE" FROM our school days most of os have sensed mmunce In tl title of "Poet Laureate." which Is conferred con-ferred 0on only one poet In England to be held by him until his death, when the next Poet Laureate Is chosen. The term "Laureate" comes from "laurel" and the reference Is to the old custom at the English universities of presenting those receiving degrees In poetry and rhetoric with wreath of laurel. This was originally an an clent custom, the Greeks being known to have so crowned their popular poets. The title was first conferred In 1G7U The early t'oet Laureate was an offlcer In the greatly beloved king's household, house-hold, whose business It was to com. pose an ode for the king's birthday and other Important occasions. The modern title however Is purely boo orary. (Copyright! |