Prof Poet
Oxford University will on May 15th elect a new Professor of Poetry, as current holder Paul Muldoon's five-year term approaches its end, write Celia Hannon and Catherine Soskice.
The post is almost 300 years old and is one of the most prestigious in the poetry world, second only to the Poet Laureate. The principal duty of the unpaid role is to deliver three public lectures a year, although in addition to this Muldoon has held numerous poetry workshops for students.
The position has been held in the past by Seamus Heaney and WH Auden. Leading candidates include Tom Paulin (Hertford) and John Fuller (Magdalen).
There are calls from some quarters for female poets, such as Carol Ann Duffy, to be considered, as the post has not yet been held by a woman.
Poet and critic Craig Raine (New), himself a contender for the role, indicated that limiting the selection to poets may be too restrictive. He told The OxStu "I think we should turn to novelists and playwrights. Ian McEwan would be terrific - one of the most intelligent men I know."
19th Feb 2004