“2026 Shakespeare Lecture: Simon Armitage on Sonnets & Shakespeare” Photo Gallery

Simon Armitage

On Tuesday, April 28, the Posner Center for Special Collections was delighted to welcome Simon Armitage, the Poet Laureate of the United Kingdom, for the CMU Libraries’ first annual Shakespeare Lecture. At the event, cosponsored by the International Poetry Forum, Armitage read new works drawn from a book that sat on his childhood shelf: "The Ornithology of Shakespeare" by James Edmund Harting.

While at the Posner Center, Armitage had the chance to view some of Special Collections’ treasured holdings, including all four Shakespeare Folios and Audubon's “The Birds of America.”

The event concluded with a Q&A led by Jake Grefenstette, President and Executive Director of the International Poetry Forum. Attendees were also able to purchase copies of Armitage’s works.

UK Poet Laureate Simon Armitage poses in front of one of Harold Cohen’s paintings.
UK Poet Laureate Simon Armitage poses in front of one of Harold Cohen’s paintings.
A large crowd gathered in the flexible classroom/event space of the newly renovated Posner Center to hear Armitage speak.
A large crowd gathered in the flexible classroom/event space of the newly renovated Posner Center to hear Armitage speak.

Jake Grefenstette, President and Executive Director of the International Poetry Forum, led a Q&A with Armitage after the lecture.
Jake Grefenstette, President and Executive Director of the International Poetry Forum, led a Q&A with Armitage after the lecture.
Armitage signs copies of his poetry for Professor of English and English Department Head Chris Warren and Associate Professor of English and Director of Literary and Cultural Studies Stephen Wittek.
Armitage signs copies of his poetry for Professor of English and English Department Head Chris Warren and Associate Professor of English and Director of Literary and Cultural Studies Stephen Wittek.

Curator of Special Collections and Director of the Posner Center for Special Collections Sam Lemley gave Armitage a tour of the Posner Center’s inaugural exhibition, “Rare Books & Ancestral Machines.”
Curator of Special Collections and Director of the Posner Center for Special Collections Sam Lemley gave Armitage a tour of the Posner Center’s inaugural exhibition, “Rare Books & Ancestral Machines.”
Copies of Armitage’s work were on sale at the event through City of Asylum.
Copies of Armitage’s work were on sale at the event through City of Asylum.

Lemley invited Armitage and other special guests to view CMU’s copies of all four Shakespeare Folios.
Lemley invited Armitage and other special guests to view CMU’s copies of all four Shakespeare Folios.
Sony Ton-Aime, executive Director of Pittsburgh Arts and Lectures, takes a closer look at a Folio.
Sony Ton-Aime, executive Director of Pittsburgh Arts and Lectures, takes a closer look at a Folio.

Special Collections Coordinator Catherine Blauvelt shows Armitage Special Collections' copy of the octavo edition of Audubon's “Birds of North America,” printed in 1844.
Special Collections Coordinator Catherine Blauvelt shows Armitage Special Collections' copy of the octavo edition of Audubon's “Birds of North America,” printed in 1844.
From left to right: English Assistant Professor Atesede Makonnen, Catherine Blauvelt, Pittsburgh Arts and Lectures Executive Director Sony Ton-Aime, College of Fine Arts junior Claire Thurston, Christopher Warren, Jake Grefenstette, City of Asylum Bookstore Manager Phoenix Tefel, CMU Chief Investment Officer Chuck Kennedy, Tepper School of Business University Professor Sridhar Tayur, Helen and Henry Posner, Jr. Dean of the University Libraries Keith Webster, Karen Kornblum, Architecture Adjunct Faculty Paul Pangaro, Simon Armitage, Stephen Wittek, 1981 Heinz College graduate Soumyo Moitra, and Sam Lemley.
From left to right: English Assistant Professor Atesede Makonnen, Catherine Blauvelt, Pittsburgh Arts and Lectures Executive Director Sony Ton-Aime, College of Fine Arts junior Claire Thurston, Christopher Warren, Jake Grefenstette, City of Asylum Bookstore Manager Phoenix Tefel, CMU Chief Investment Officer Chuck Kennedy, Tepper School of Business University Professor Sridhar Tayur, Helen and Henry Posner, Jr. Dean of the University Libraries Keith Webster, Karen Kornblum, Architecture Adjunct Faculty Paul Pangaro, Simon Armitage, Stephen Wittek, 1981 Heinz College graduate Soumyo Moitra, and Sam Lemley.

Tags