Feb 27, 2008 2:58 pm US/Central
Robert Bly Named Minn.'s Poet Laureate
ST. PAUL (AP) ―
Gov. Tim Pawlenty has named Robert Bly as Minnesota's first poet laureate.
Pawlenty calls Bly "a Minnesota treasure."
Bly lives in Minneapolis. He's the author of more than 30 books of poetry. He also translated Henrik Ibsen's classic play "Peer Gynt," which is now showing at the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis.
Minnesota's poet laureate may promote the reading and writing of poetry, preside over poetry awards and contests, and write poetry or select poets to compose works for significant state occasions.
Bly said Minnesota has a wonderful literary history, so it's a great honor to be selected.
The Legislature created the honorary position last year.
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