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Mervyn Morris is Poet Laureate of Jamaica

Distinguished academic and writer/poet Professor Emeritus the Hon. Mervyn Morris,  has been selected for the prestigious position of Poet Laureate of Jamaica and  will receive the official Badge of Office, thereby formalising his appointment  from Governor-General, His Excellency the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen, at an investiture ceremony scheduled for King’s House today, Wednesday, May 21, 2014.
 
A Poet Laureate is an honorary national designation or award accorded by a country’s government or a nationally recognised literary institution, to a person deemed to have attained or recorded significant accomplishment in poetry. In addition to the accompanying recognition, which the appointee receives, the Poet Laureate is also expected to compose poems for special or national events and occasions, as well as promote an overall appreciation of poetry within his or her country.
 
Professor Morris’ appointment will make him the third Jamaican to hold the position. Preceding him were Thomas Henry MacDermot, better known as Tom Redcam, the first recipient, who was awarded posthumously in 1933; and John Ebenezer Clare McFarlane, who received the award in 1953.However, while the first two recipients were awarded by local organisation, the Poetry League of Jamaica, Professor Morris will have the distinction of being the first Poet Laureate appointed by the Government of Jamaica.  He will serve for an initial three years, and will be eligible for re-appointment.
 
The renowned poet is expected to contribute significantly to further enriching Jamaica’s impressive collection of poems, penned by several of the country’s notable poets.  His activities are expected to mainly include: writing poetry for national events, observances, or accomplishments; creating a publication related to poetry; presenting poetry seminars, readings, and promotions in Kingston and Montego Bay, at least one rural location, and overseas, where required; and participation in at least four official engagements.
 
Professor Morris’  books of poems include: ‘The Pond’, ‘Shadowboxing’, ‘Examination Centre’, ‘Vestiges’, ‘On Holy Ground’, and ‘I have been there, sort of: New and Selected Poems’. His works earned him the Institute of Jamaica’s Silver Musgrave Medal in 1976.Other publications, which Professor Morris has authored include: ‘Is English We Speaking’, ‘Making West Indian Literature’, and ‘Miss Lou: Louise Bennett and Jamaican Culture’.
 
Books, which he has edited include: ‘Selected Poems’ by Louise Bennett; ‘It a Come by Michael Smith; and ‘After-Image’ by Dennis Scott. He also co-edited ‘Jamaica Woman’, an anthology of poems by Jamaican women, who had not previously had individually published collections; and ‘Voiceprint’, an anthology of Caribbean poetry.
 
A native of Kingston, Professor Morris studied at Munro College, the University College of the West Indies, and was a Rhodes Scholar at St. Edmund Hall, Oxford University, England. He served on the staff of the University of the West Indies (UWI) from 1966 to 2002, retiring as Professor of Creative Writing and West Indian Literature.Professor Morris, who has given poetry readings in many countries, and conducted poetry workshops in the Caribbean, United States, and United Kingdom, was awarded the Order of Merit (O.M.) by the Government of Jamaica in 2009.
 
In 2011, the Poetry Archive in London, England, produced a compact disc in his honour, entitled: ‘Mervyn Morris Reading from his Poems’.


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