Top 10 Greatest British Poet Laureates???

Tennyson ( 1809 - 1892 )

British Poet Laureate 1850 - 1892

Dryden ( 1631 - 1700 )

British Poet Laureate 1668 - 1688

Masefield ( 1878 - 1967 )

British Poet Laureate 1830 - 1867

Andrew Motion ( b.1952 )

British Poet Laureate 1999 - 2009

Ted Hughes ( 1930 - 1998 )

British Poet Laureate 1984 - 1998

Robert Southey ( 1774 - 1843 )

British Poet Laureate 1813 - 1843

Robert Bridges ( 1844 - 1930 )

British Poet Laureate 1913 - 1930

Alfred Austin ( 1835 - 1913 )

British Poet Laureate 1896 - 1913

Thomas Warton ( 1728 - 1790 )

British Poet Laureate 1785 - 1790

Colley Cibber ( 1671 - 1757 )

British Poet Laureate 1730 - 1757

The laureateship was for life, New Labour changed it to 10 years after the death of Ted Hughes in 1998. Dryden however was sacked from the post.

This list is the top 10 British Poet Laureates, not the top 10 poets given the post of British Poet Laureate. For example Wordsworth ( 1770 - 1850 ) wrote nothing for his laureateship. It was believed to be better for a good poet to hold the post and write nothing than have a bad poet laureate. Oliver Reed would be better than Wordsworth, as at least he'd drink the cherry!!!

Have a 'Fantastic' Christmas and New Year!!!

All The Best!!!

Keep Truckin'

Cheers - Mike ( Fuller )