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 The Supreme Court just struck down President Trump's tariffs. Big Bang Theory star reveals his 'masked vigilante thing.' President Trump struck defiant tone after tariffs loss at court. FCC now sets its sights on The View. Report an error