Who was the first African American appointed US Poet Laureate (Consultant in Poetry to the Library of Congress)?

1. AKyra Davis
2. BMeri Nana-Ama Danquah
3. CRita Dove
4. DLucille Clifton

Pick an option to check yourself, or open the answer below.

Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: C. Rita Dove

Explanation

Rita Dove (1993–95), then the youngest to hold the post. Robert Hayden had been Consultant in Poetry (1976–78) before the title of Poet Laureate was added.

Note: Robert Hayden was the first African American Consultant in Poetry; Dove was the first under the Poet Laureate title.