Henry Meade Bland (April 21, 1863 – April 29, 1931) was an American educator and poet who became California Poet Laureate in 1929 after succeeding California's first Poet Laureate, Ina Coolbrith.^[1]

Early life and education

Bland was born on April 21, 1863, in Fairfield, California. He had an undergraduate and M.A. degree from University of the Pacific, and 1895, and a Ph.D from Stanford University in 1890.^[2] He worked as a teacher and school administrator for 15 years at schools in Los Gatos, Santa Clara, and San Jose, before joining the San Jose Normal School in 1899 to teach English. He remained at California State Normal School until his death.^[3]

Career

During the early years of the twentieth century, Bland penned reviews of the works of California writers for Town and Country. He was the friend of Joaquin Miller, Jack London, John Muir, Edwin Markham, and other California literary figures. His verse was published in Sierran Pan & Other Poems (1924) and six other volumes. His prose writings include Stevenson's California (1924) and Prose & Poetry for Children (1914).

On March 22, 1929, a joint resolution was passed in the California State Legislature to name Bland the California Poet Laureate. The title given was The Laurel Crowned Poet of California (Statutes of 1929, Resolution Chapter 23). California began the practice of naming a poet laureate in 1915.^[2]

Death

Bland died on April 29, 1931, two years into his life-term appointment as California's Poet Laureate.^[2]

References