J.D Scrimgeour Selected by Committee as Salem’s First Poet Laureate
SALEM, MA – Mayor Dominick Pangallo and Salem Public Library Director Tara Mansfield are pleased to announce the selection of J.D. Scrimgeour as Salem’s inaugural Poet Laureate, following a thorough review and recommendation by the Poet Laureate Selection Committee.
“I’m thrilled to announce J.D. Scrimgeour will be Salem’s first Poet Laureate! The Poet Laureate is an honorary role that celebrates Salem’s rich literary history and highlights an individual whose work in in the written word enriches our community,” said Mayor Pangallo. “Salem has a storied history of remarkable poets and writers. The Poet Laureate recognizes that legacy and encourages new voices to emerge. I also want to thank all of the poets who applied for consideration and the volunteer members of the Poet Laureate Selection Committee.”
The Poet Laureate program operates similarly to the City of Salem’s Artist-in-Residence initiative and this inaugural term will last for two years, beginning January 1, 2025. This timeline aligns with Salem’s upcoming 400th anniversary in 2026, with the second year of Scrimgeour’s term occurring over that commemorative year. The Poet Laureate will conduct three to five public readings and workshops each year during his term, and also participate in other community and school engagements through the next two years.
J.D. Scrimgeour is a Professor of English at Salem State University and the author of five poetry collections, including The Last Miles and Banana Bread. His work has appeared in esteemed publications like Poetry and Ploughshares. A dedicated advocate for the arts, he helped establish the Massachusetts Poetry Festival in Salem and directs the Salem Poetry Seminar, helping future poets.
Upon his appointment, Scrimgeour remarked, “Twenty-eight years ago, the city of Salem, rich in history and culture, welcomed me and my family. I am honored to contribute to that legacy as Poet Laureate. I thank the selection committee for their work, and I look forward to fostering a new generation of writers while celebrating our city’s quadricentennial.”
Community members are invited to reach out to the Poet Laureate starting in January 2025 at Poet@Salem.com and to visit //www.salemma.gov/poetlaureate for future updates about readings, events, and engagements.
