Oxford Poetry Prof Resigns

First female to nab top post reverses earlier decision amid smear campaign accusations

By Jess Kilby

Posted May 25, 2009 7:17 PM CDT

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Oxford Poetry Prof Resigns — British poet Ruth Padel, great-great-granddaughter of Charles Darwin, resigned her post as Oxford Professor of Poetry today amid accusations she ran a smear campaign against a rival for the job. (AP Photo / Sang Tan)

The first woman to hold one of the UK’s top poetry posts has reversed direction and announced her resignation amid accusations that she ran a smear campaign against a rival, the Telegraph reports. Ruth Padel stepped down as the Oxford Professor of Poetry today but maintained she acted in “good faith” in telling reporters about a book detailing sexual harassment accusations against Nobel laureate Derek Walcott.

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