* Definition of "poet": What constitutes a "poet" is subjective. Do we include individuals who primarily wrote other forms of literature but also dabbled in poetry? Do we only count poets who were formally recognized as such at the time?
* Incomplete records: Records of inaugural events may not always be complete or consistently detailed, especially for earlier inaugurations.
* Varying traditions: The tradition of having a poet read at an inauguration isn't consistent throughout US history. It has become more common in recent decades.
However, we can identify a few key points:
* First official poet: The first official poet to read at an inauguration was Maya Angelou in 1993 for Bill Clinton's first inauguration.
* Notable poets: Other notable poets who have read at inaugurations include Robert Frost (1961 for John F. Kennedy), Miller Williams (1997 for Bill Clinton's second inauguration), Elizabeth Alexander (2009 for Barack Obama's first inauguration), Richard Blanco (2013 for Barack Obama's second inauguration), and Amanda Gorman (2021 for Joe Biden's inauguration).
* Growing tradition: Having a poet read at an inauguration has become a more established tradition in recent decades, reflecting a growing appreciation for the power of poetry to inspire and connect with audiences.
Therefore, while we cannot provide an exact number, it's clear that poetry has played a significant role in American inaugurations, particularly in the more recent history of the event.