The transformational power of poetry read aloud

The Josephine Hart Poetry Foundation promotes arts, culture, and education, focusing on poetry, literature, and performance.

Welcome to The Poetry Hour

The Josephine Hart Poetry Hour began life as The Gallery Poets In Cork Street in the late 1980s and quickly became a transatlantic phenomenon, showcasing poetry performance regularly at The Hay Festival, The National Theatre, The Donmar, Centre Culturel Irlandais, Paris, the New York Public Library and Harvard University. In 2004 The Poetry Hour made its home at The British Library where it continues regularly in Josephine’s memory, as well as staging events at other locations in London and beyond. After her untimely death in 2011, Westminster Abbey hosted The Poetry Hour there to celebrate her contribution to poetry.

Josephine Hart 1942 - 2011

Featured poet

The world’s greatest poets are all featured within this website.
Find out more about the poet you love below.

Recent readers

We are very fortunate to have support from some of the world’s most recognised people.
Find out more about our readers below.

Education

Find out how your school can benefit from the transformative power of poetry read aloud.
© Copyright 2025 The Josephine Hart Poetry Foundation. A charity registered in England and Wales number 1145062.