Governor Henry McMaster appointed Russell “Patrick” Davis as South Carolina’s Poet Laureate on Mar. 19. McMaster said, “Throughout his career, Patrick Davis has used music and words to tell the stories of our people, and we are proud to have him represent South Carolina’s rich heritage. His deep South Carolina roots and talent as a songwriter and storyteller make him uniquely suited to serve as our state’s Poet Laureate.”
The appointment highlights the state’s commitment to celebrating its cultural heritage through the arts. The Poet Laureate is tasked with promoting poetry across South Carolina and participating in public programming.
Davis grew up in Camden, South Carolina, and attended the University of South Carolina before establishing himself nationally as a singer-songwriter and producer. He has worked with various artists, produced several albums, and kept strong connections to his home state through performances.
South Carolina’s Poet Laureate position was created by the General Assembly in 1934. The governor appoints each laureate based on recommendations from the South Carolina Arts Commission.
McMaster has prioritized supporting residents through economic development, public safety, education, and heritage preservation according to the official website. He began serving as the state’s 117th governor on Jan. 24, 2017, winning full terms in subsequent elections according to the official website. His authority extends statewide for governance and policy oversight according to the official website, holding responsibility for managing government operations under state law according to the official website. McMaster was re-elected in both 2018 and 2022 according to the official website.
The governor maintains an office at the State House on Gervais Street in Columbia according to the official website.
