A series of functionalized linear poly (1-vinylpyrene) (PVP) polymers bearing substituents such as - NO2, - CHO, - NH2, - Br, and - CH = C (CN)2, were prepared by chemical modification of PVP in solution. The degree of substitution in PVP - CH = C (CN)2 was varied from 40% to nearly 100% by control of the reaction conditions. The other polymers were partially functionalized. The UV-visible and fluorescence spectroscopy of the polymers were studied in solution. The influence of solvent polarity, excitation energy, and degree of substitution on the fluorescence of the polymers were examined.