Derek Walcott Withdraws from Poetry Post at Oxford.

Updates: May 28, 2009: The poet Derek Walcott’s candidacy for a prestigious post at the University of Oxford drew such bitter criticism this month that the Nobel Prize winner withdrew from consideration. But the University of Alberta had no such second thoughts about appointing him to a three-year term as the university’s first distinguished scholar in residence, a post he will assume this fall. . . . (http://chronicle.com/news/article/6545/u-of-alberta-expects-no-scandal-from-appointing-controversial-poet-derek-walcott) May 25, 2009: Adding another twist to an unusually contentious episode, Ruth Padel announced today that she would not take up the post of professor of poetry at the University of Oxford. . . .(http://chronicle.com/news/article/6525/scandal-over-oxford-poetry-post-takes-new-twist-as-ruth-padel-resigns) Original Post (May 13, 2009): Nobel Laureate Derek Walcott has quit the race to become Oxford Professor of Poetry after becoming embroiled in a sex smear campaign. Walcott, the front-runner for the post, announced today to the Evening Standard his decision to stand down as a candidate. His withdrawal follows a campaign against him before Saturday's election. Documents including an allegation of sexual harassment dating back to 1982 were sent anonymously to Oxford academics who, with graduates, vote on the position. . . . See:

• London Evening Standard: http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-23689480-details/Nobel+winner+quits+Oxford+poetry+race+over+sex+claims/article.do;
• Guardian: http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2009/may/12/walcott-oxford-poetry-professor;
• Times: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article6256746.ece.