New Oxford Professor of Poetry

Geoffrey Hill, often called the greatest living English-language poet, was recently named Professor of Poetry at Oxford University. The 78-year-old poet's victory follows last year's scandal involving winner Ruth Padel, who resigned after less than two weeks when it became public that she made journalists aware of sexual harassment allegations against Derek Walcott, her rival in the Oxford contest. Despite last year's "messiness," the post remains one of the most prestigious in poetry. More than 2,500 votes were cast in person and online to elect a successor to Christopher Ricks. Professor Hill, an Oxford alumnus, is the 44th poet to become Oxford Professor of Poetry, a five-year post that was established in 1708.

Read Geoffrey Hill's Poem, "September Song"

http://www.poetryfoundation.org/archive/poem.html?id=178126

Geoffrey Hill Bio:

http://www.poetryfoundation.org/archive/poet.html?id=3152

Articles:

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/19/books/19arts-AFTERROUGHCA_BRF.html

http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2010/jun/18/geoffrey-hill-oxford-professor-poetry

http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/harrymount/100044066/geoffrey-hill-becomes-oxfords-new-professor-of-poetry-and-quite-right-too/