Archibald Rutledge

Archibald Rutledge
Poet Laureate of South Carolina

Archibald Rutledge was born October 23,1883 in McClellanville, S.C. His family's home was Hampton, which is now owned by the state of South Carolina. For over 300 years, the Rutledge family or kin of the family has lived in that home. A native of Charleston, he had a great knowledge and love for nature. He was also a great storyteller.

As the "first to be designated poet laureate by executive action," he was also said to be "distinguished in literature." His first poem was written when he was seven years old:

    I saw a little rattlesnake
    Too young to make it rattlers shake.
He also taught English for 35 years in Pennslyvania. When asked about his writing, he said,"My formula is to find a subject worth writing about and then to make it simple, and then to make it clear and then to make it reach the heart and then to make it beautiful."

This page last updated: 8/13/02 3:27 PM