Legal Definitions - laureate

A laureate is a person who is honored for their great achievements in the arts and sciences, especially in poetry. In history, a laureate was an officer of the sovereign's household who composed odes annually on the sovereign's birthday, on the new year, and occasionally on the occurrence of a remarkable victory.

1. William Shakespeare is considered one of the greatest laureates in English literature for his contributions to poetry and drama.

2. Maya Angelou was named the first African American poet laureate of the United States in 1993.

3. The Nobel Prize in Literature is awarded annually to a laureate who has produced the most outstanding work in an ideal direction in the field of literature.

These examples illustrate how a laureate is someone who has achieved great success and recognition in their field, particularly in poetry. The historical example of a sovereign's household officer who composed odes shows how the term has evolved over time to become a symbol of excellence in the arts and sciences.