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 Here's how Rob Reiner's body was found. More details coming out about the last party the Reiners attended. Susie Wiles thinks Trump has an 'alcoholic's personality.' An MIT nuclear science professor was fatally shot at his home. Report an error