Henry Meade Bland

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]

Henry Meade Bland
Born	April 21, 1863 Fairfield, California, U.S.
Died	April 29, 1931 (aged 68)
Alma mater	University of the Pacific (B.A., M.A.) Stanford University (Ph.D)
California Poet Laureate
In office March 22, 1929 – April 30, 1931
Preceded by	Ina Coolbrith
Succeeded by	John S. McGroarty

Early life and education

Bland was born on April 21, 1863, in Fairfield, California. He had an undergraduate degree in ???, Master in Philosophy in 1889, and a PhD in 1890 from University of the Pacific, and, a masters from Stanford University in 1895.^[2][3] 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.^[4]

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.^[3]

Death

Bland died on April 29, 1931, two years into his life-term appointment as California's Poet Laureate.^[3]

References

1. "CA Govt. Code 8760-8765". California Legislative Information. Retrieved 5 August 2016.
2. Williams, Alma Lowry (February 1931). "Henry Meade Bland, Poet, Teacher, Friend". Pacific Review. 5 (3): 2 – via University of the Pacific Scholarly Commons.
3. "Dr. Henry Meade Bland". San Jose State University. Retrieved 4 August 2016.
4. Greathead, Estelle (1928). The Story of an Inspiring Past. San Jose Teachers College. p. 147.