Poet Ruth Padel in Oxford row backs her two pals
Padel reveals who she wants to get prestigious job
Published: 03 June 2010
by DAN CARRIER
THE poet who was at the centre of an academic row over the Chair of Poetry at Oxford University has revealed who she hopes will get the seat she resigned from.
Ruth Padel, who lives in South End Green, stood down from the prestigious position just nine days after she was elected last summer when it emerged she had told newspaper reporters that her rival for the job, Derek Walcott, had been accused of sexually harassing a student in the early 1980s.
Now, as graduates prepare to vote for her replacement, she has broken cover and told the New Journal who she wants to see take her place.
Ms Padel, whose recent works include a study in verse of the life of her great-great-grandfather Charles Darwin, said that out of the 12 contenders, there are two she is backing.
Of two candidates, Geoffrey Hill and Michael Horovitz, she said: “Geoffrey is a great poet – he is full of such wonder. Michael Horowitz is very good at enthusing people. Both of them are friends of mine and both would be good.”
The role requires teaching, writing and giving three annual lectures for five years.
Ms Padel said: “Geoffrey is world class and gives some truly extraordinary lectures. But three lectures a year for five years is actually rather taxing for someone of a certain age because they are not just any lecture – they have to be really, really good ones.”
Mr Horovitz, who lives in Kilburn, appears regularly at Kentish Town’s Torriano Meeting House and was life-long friends with its organiser, John Rety, who passed away earlier this year.
He is known for his performance poetry and Beatnik background, but believes he may be at a disadvantage because of his religion.
The poet said: “The establishment at Oxford are Christians and they are in dread of science and rationality usurping them.
“I have been told that a lot of people behind Hill’s campaign have backed him because of his religious beliefs.
“However, he is a truly marvellous poet – the way he writes is immaculate.
“He is steeped in English literature and emulates all that is lovely in the English tradition.”
Despite only putting himself forward six weeks ago, Mr Horovitz has already received 66 nominations, including the backing of Tony Benn, Terry Jones and AN Wilson.
He added: “I clearly have election fever. If I were a horse in the National, I’d be chomping at the bit.”
The closing date for registering to vote is tomorrow (Friday), with the election due to be held over the summer.