The position of Poet Laureate of Virginia was established December 18, 1936 by the Virginia General Assembly.[1]
Originally, the Poet Laureate of Virginia was appointed without outside consultation by the General Assembly, usually for one year, in a process that has been described being "more of a political thing".[2]
As of 1996, the procedure was changed[2] and most recently codified in 1998 in Virginia Code, Sec. 7.1–43, as follows:[1]
7.1-43. Poet laureate.
The honorary position of Poet Laureate of Virginia is hereby created. Beginning in 1998, the Governor may appoint a poet laureate from a list of nominees submitted by the Poetry Society of Virginia. Each poet laureate shall serve a term of two years with no restrictions on reappointment.
"Poets Laureate Named In Virginia Richmond, Va". Bluefield Daily Telegraph. Bluefield, West Virginia. March 13, 1948. p.3. Retrieved September 17, 2018. A couple of Virginia poets laureates, one for 1948 and one for 1949, were named today by the house of delegates. If the senate agrees, Thomas Lomax Hunter, "Cavalier" columnist of the Richmond Times-Dispatch. will be the state's official bard this year, and Leigh Hanes, of Roanoke, will have the versifying honors for 1949.