Derek Walcott Drops Oxford Bid

Nobel laureate Derek Walcott removed his name from the running for Oxford’s professor of poetry following a spate of anonymous letters about his past.

As Walcott departs, he leaves poets Ruth Padel and Arvind Krishna in the running for the prestigious post–according to the Guardian, “the most influential in poetry in the UK behind that of the laureateship.” Recently, 100 academics mailed organizers missives an 1982 allegation of sexual harassment leveled against the poet.

Here’s Walcott’s response, from the article: “I withdraw from the election to be professor of poetry at Oxford. I am disappointed that such low tactics have been used in this election and I do not want to get into a race for a post where it causes embarrassment to those who have chosen to support me for the role or to myself.” (Via BookNinja)

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