Nebraska State Poet

William Kloefkorn

(Lincoln, Nebraska)

Adopted on Sept. 11, 1982.

William Kloefkorn of Lincoln was named Nebraska's first state poet by proclamation of Gov. Charles Thone on Sept. 11, 1982. Kloefkorn is an English professor at Nebraska Wesleyan University in Lincoln. Kloefkorn's works have appeared in numerous periodicals and newspapers. He has written 18 books, including Alvin Turner as Farmer, Uncertain the Final Run to Winter and Cottonwood County. Kloefkorn assisted in starting Nebraska's Poets-in-the-Schools program, and he has given readings and conducted workshops at colleges and universities across the United States.

Start of Term: September 11, 1982

Position History:
Position of Poet Laureate established 1921 with the naming of John G. Neihardt by Legislature. Position title changed to State Poet when William Kloefkorn was appointed by Governor Charles Thone September 11, 1982, on the recommendation of an ad hoc committee headed by the executive director of the Nebraska Humanities Council. Position is a lifetime appointment.

Previous:
John G. Neihardt (1921-November 3, 1973)

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