Does poetry still matter?

By Brandon Griggs, CNN

Updated 1024 GMT (1824 HKT) June 25, 2015

<strong>Juan Felipe Herrera</strong>, son of migrant farm workers in California, has been named the next U.S. poet laureate. Herrera, 66, whose parents emigrated from Mexico, will be the nation's first Latino poet laureate since the position was created in 1936. Here's a look at some other famous poets from the 16th century to the present.
Photos: Famous poets throughout history
Juan Felipe Herrera, son of migrant farm workers in California, has been named the next U.S. poet laureate. Herrera, 66, whose parents emigrated from Mexico, will be the nation's first Latino poet laureate since the position was created in 1936. Here's a look at some other famous poets from the 16th century to the present.
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<strong>William Shakespeare</strong> (1564-1616) is best known for his plays, but he's not nicknamed the Bard of Avon for nothing. Shakespeare also wrote more than 150 sonnets and love poems, with such enduring lines as "Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?"
Photos: Famous poets throughout history
William Shakespeare (1564-1616) is best known for his plays, but he's not nicknamed the Bard of Avon for nothing. Shakespeare also wrote more than 150 sonnets and love poems, with such enduring lines as "Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?"
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<strong>John Keats</strong> (1795-1821) was an English romantic poet whose reputation has far outlasted his brief life. He is most admired for his series of odes, most notably "Ode on a Grecian Urn," with its famous final lines: "Beauty is truth, truth beauty -- that is all / ye know on earth, and all ye need to know."
Photos: Famous poets throughout history
John Keats (1795-1821) was an English romantic poet whose reputation has far outlasted his brief life. He is most admired for his series of odes, most notably "Ode on a Grecian Urn," with its famous final lines: "Beauty is truth, truth beauty -- that is all / ye know on earth, and all ye need to know."
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Englishwoman <strong>Elizabeth Barrett Browning</strong> (1806-61) was the wife of writer Robert Browning and an acclaimed Victorian poet in her own right. Many believe her literary reputation exceeded that of her husband. The opening lines of one of her love sonnets -- "How do I love thee? Let me count the ways" -- are still widely quoted today.
Photos: Famous poets throughout history
Englishwoman Elizabeth Barrett Browning (1806-61) was the wife of writer Robert Browning and an acclaimed Victorian poet in her own right. Many believe her literary reputation exceeded that of her husband. The opening lines of one of her love sonnets -- "How do I love thee? Let me count the ways" -- are still widely quoted today.
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American poet <strong>Edgar Allan Poe</strong> (1809-49) also wrote short stories and essays and is widely credited with inventing the modern detective story. A master of dark, spooky atmosphere, he became a sensation after the 1845 publication of his narrative poem "The Raven."
Photos: Famous poets throughout history
American poet Edgar Allan Poe (1809-49) also wrote short stories and essays and is widely credited with inventing the modern detective story. A master of dark, spooky atmosphere, he became a sensation after the 1845 publication of his narrative poem "The Raven."
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<strong>Walt Whitman</strong> (1819-91), often called the father of free verse, was one of the most influential American poets. His landmark collection "Leaves of Grass" was considered obscene by some at the time for its overt sexuality. And that "O Captain! My Captain!" line from the end of "Dead Poets Society"? It's Whitman's.
Photos: Famous poets throughout history
Walt Whitman (1819-91), often called the father of free verse, was one of the most influential American poets. His landmark collection "Leaves of Grass" was considered obscene by some at the time for its overt sexuality. And that "O Captain! My Captain!" line from the end of "Dead Poets Society"? It's Whitman's.
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Although she never traveled far from her Massachusetts home and was not well-known in her lifetime, the reclusive <strong>Emily Dickinson</strong> (1830-86) is now one of the most admired American poets. Among her best-known lines: " 'Hope' is the thing with feathers / That perches in the soul / And sings the tune without the words / And never stops -- at all ..."
Photos: Famous poets throughout history
Although she never traveled far from her Massachusetts home and was not well-known in her lifetime, the reclusive Emily Dickinson (1830-86) is now one of the most admired American poets. Among her best-known lines: " 'Hope' is the thing with feathers / That perches in the soul / And sings the tune without the words / And never stops -- at all ..."
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