In 1930, due to the death of Robert Bridges, a need for a new appointment to the office arose. Many at the time felt Rudyard Kipling was an obvious choice, others saw the office belonging to Yeats. Masefield himself did not think he was worthy of the appointment, however, upon the recommendation of the British Prime Minister, King George V appointed Masefield, who remained in the office until his death in 1967. The only other person to remain in the office of Laureate for a longer period was Tennyson.

Although the requirements of the Poet Laureate had changed since it�s original inception, and those in the office were no longer required to write verse, but only as they were inspired, Masefield took his appointment seriously and he produced a surprisingly large quantity of verse. Poems that had been composed in his official capacity were sent to The Times newspaper. The humility of Masefield, even after receiving so much attention during his life, was demonstrated by the fact that he apparently always included a stamped envelope with each submission so that his composition could be returned to him if for some reason it were found unacceptable for publication.