World | Oxford University 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 Copied 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. Read These Next Wondering how Cheryl Hines feels about all this? Wonder no more. It's the second-worst wildfire season ever for Canada. A child was reportedly among those shot dead in a Target parking lot. It's a survival story fit for a sea shanty. Report an error