A Poet Laureate for Boston? It Isn't Exactly a New Idea

Brian McGrory breaks out into full snark mode to dismiss City Councillor John Tobin's idea of naming a poet laureate for Boston.  Ellen Steinbaum has a thoughtful reply in today's Globe.  Why does Tobin think a poet laureate would be a good idea? "It would bring another special quality to major city events and chronicle the everyday happenings of the city, from a poetry point of view," Tobin said.

What I find interesting about this debate is that I haven't seen any mention that for well over a hundred years, since the first anniversary of the Boston Massacre, Boston had an official orator whose job was to commemorate notable occasions--first, the Boston Massacre until the end of the American Revolution and then, after the Revolution ended, to commemorate the Fourth of July.  This role lasted until at least the early 20th Century.

For example, the Boston town records show that

"At a Meeting of the Freeholders and other Inhabitants of the Town of Boston at Faneuil Hall on Monday the 4th day of July A.D. 1814--9 O'Clock A.M.

Warrant for the meeting---read.

Thomas Clark was chosen Moderator.

The Committee appointed last year to make choice of  a Gentleman to deliver an Oration on the Anniversary of Independence--Reported--that they had chosen Benjamin Whitwell Esquire--who has accepted the appointment.

Adjourned to meet at the Old South Church--12 O'Clock.--

Met at the Old South Church where the Oration was delivered by Benjamin Whitwell Esquire to commemorate the Independence of the United States of America.

Voted--That the Selectmen, be, and hereby are appointed a Committee to wait on Benjamin Whitwell Esqr. in the name of the Town, & thank him for the elegant and spirited Oration this day delivered by him at the request of the Town, upon the anniversary of American Independence, in which were considered the feelings, manners, and principles, which produced the great national event, and the important and happy effects, whether general of domestic, which have already, or will forever flow from that auspicious Epoch."

That doesn't sound much different than what John Tobin envisions a poet laureate might do.  In times closer to our own, the Jones Hill Association in Dorchester appointed a poet laureate about five years ago to specifically chronicle life on the hill in verse.  I am in full agreement with City Councilor Sam Yoon, who sees the importance encouraging an atmosphere where the arts are recognized and promoted.

The real question, to my mind at least, is why Boston doesn't have a City Historian.  Boise, Idaho has a City Historian.  Rochester, New York has a City Historian.  Boston has a City Archaeologist and a City Archivist (both of whom are really great, by the way) but where is the love for historians?  Not that I know anyone who would make a good City Historian or anything....

Comments

[J. L. Bell]

At least for the Massacre orations (1771-1783), Boston chose a different gentleman each year. They tended to be lawyers and politicians, though Dr. Benjamin Church, Jr., was known for his verse.

I haven't paid enough attention to the current proposal for a city poet laureate to know if it's a long-term or lifetime appointment (as in Britain) or a one-year honor (as in the USA).