Congratulations Mattie Quesenberry Smith, Virginia’s 21st Poet Laureate

On November 22, the Office of the Governor informed the Poetry Society of Virginia that he had selected a new Poet Laureate of Virginia. Mattie Quesenberry Smith will serve a two-year term from July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2026.


Mattie is a native Virginian who currently teaches rhetoric, literature and composition at Virginia Military Institute. She holds degrees from Hollins University including a BA in Biology, a BA in English Literature, and a MA in English Literature and Creative Writing and is completing her PhD at Virginia Polytechnic University.


Mattie has published her poetry in numerous journals and has one collection, Mother Chaos: Under Electric Light (Finishing Line Press, 2008). She has led creative writing workshops and done poetry readings in the community and enjoys sharing her poetry. Her website is found at https://mattiequesenberrysmith.com.


Mattie recently joined the Poetry Society of Virginia and looks forward to being a part of our membership. She is particularly interested in combining poetry with science. Please join the PSV Board in congratulating Ms. Quesenberry Smith on this honor as we wish her a successful term.


At the same time, we wish the previous Poet Laureate, Margaret O. Daramola, all the best and thank her for her service to poets and poetry lovers in Virginia.