Salem State University Professor Named City's First Poet Laureate

SALEM, MA — A Salem State University professor who helped launch the Massachusetts Poetry Festival in the Witch City has been named the city's inaugural Poet Laureate.

J.D. Scrimgeour will take on the honorary role created to promote the city's literary history and represent the city's spirit in prose for a two-year term. As part of his role, Scrimgeour will conduct three to five public readings and workshops each year during his term, and also participate in other community and school engagements.

Scrimgeour was chosen out of a field of candidates through a review and recommendation by the Poet Laureate Selection Committee.

"Salem has a storied history of remarkable poets and writers," Salem Mayor Dominick Pangallo said. "The Poet Laureate recognizes that legacy and encourages new voices to emerge."

Scrimgeour's term aligns with Salem's upcoming 400th anniversary in 2026, with the second year of Scrimgeour's term occurring over that commemorative year.

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.

"Twenty-eight years ago, the city of Salem, rich in history and culture, welcomed me and my family," Scrimgeour said. "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 at
Poet@Salem.com.