The Theodore Roethke Memorial Poetry Prize

The Theodore Roethke Memorial Poetry Prize has been offered since 1968, generally on a triennial basis. The Prize is given for a book published in the previous three years which has made an important contribution to American poetry. Three active poets of high reputation are named as judges, usually chosen by the US Poet Laureate/Consultant in Poetry to the Library of Congress. No nominations are solicited or accepted.

This year's winner is Robert Pinsky (2008, for Gulf Music).

Click here for a full biography on Robert Pinsky.

Previous winners:

• Carl Phillips (2005, for The Rest of Love)
  
• Sherod Santos (2002, for The Pilot Star Elegies)
  
• Frank Bidart (1998, for Desire)
  
• Kimiko Hahn (1995, for Earshot)
  
• Carolyn Kizer (1988, for The Nearness of You)
  
• Richard Hugo (1976, for What Thou Lovest Well, Remains American)
  
• John Ciardi (1986, for The Birds of Pompeii)
  
• Donald Finkel (1974, for Adequate Earth)
  
• Robert Penn Warren (1971, for Incarnations: Poems, 1966-1968)
  
• Howard Nemerov (1968, for The Blue Swallows)