Ruth Padel is the winner

Ruth Padel was elected as Oxford Professor of Poetry yesterday with 69% of the vote, making her the first woman to hold the position.  (That makes two women elected to previously all male poetry positions in two weeks).  

Links:

David Harrison, "Ruth Padel's win 'poisoned' by smear campaign," Telegraph (May 17, 2009).

Sarah Crown, "A Life in Poetry: Ruth Padel," Guardian (May 16, 2009).

BBC, "Padel named Oxford poet professor," (May 16, 2009).

AP, "Ruth Padel voted Oxford's Professor of Poetry," Real Clear World (May 16, 2009).

News release from University of Oxford (May 16, 2009).