The story, so far Nov 19, 2009
Yes, that was the novelist Margaret Atwood, every bit alive, just like the Nobel Prize-winning poet Derek Walcott, the essayist and performer Garrison Keillor, the novelists Russell Banks and Toni Morrison. They were here, too, though the more relevant issue might be when they're coming back. (Albany Times Union)
Dec. 10/REPLICA: Daniel Arsham Residency at New Museum Nov 18, 2009
The choreographic works she has created and performed since that time include On Walcott, which was based on poetry by Caribbean-born Nobel Prize laureate Derek Walcott and featured the musical direction of Henry Threadgill at Aaron Davis Hall in 2001. Her work has been has presented in Cuba, Argentina, Spain, and the US. In New York her work has been shown at P.S. 122, Movement Research at Judson Church, P.S.1 (MoMA), Joyce SoHo, Aaron Davis Hall, The Kitchen, Queens Museum of Arts, New School... (AbsoluteArts.com)
Winners of Nobel Prize in literature since 1960 Oct 8, 2009
1992: Derek Walcott, St. Lucia. 1991: Nadine Gordimer, South Africa. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Science)
Bowing to a higher authority May 30, 2009
Yes, poetry, normally a narrow little world, got itself into the headlines for the second time in three weeks when, after Carol Ann Duffy was appointed to the laureateship, not only did Derek Walcott pull out of the election for the Oxford poetry professorship, but the winner, Ruth Padel, resigned from the post. Never before in the history of English literature had poetry been a news story twice in quick succession. (BBC News -- UK)
Poetic Injustice May 30, 2009
Derek Walcott Can't Escape Sexual Allegations, Declines Oxford Offer ... Even the Nobel Prize cant protect Derek Walcott from old allegations of sexual harassment ... Derek Walcott Can't Escape Sexual Allegations, Declines Oxford Offer Even the Nobel Prize cant protect Derek Walcott from old allegations of sexual harassment. (Slate)
Britain terse over poetic verse May 29, 2009
It emerged that, during her campaign for the post, she tipped off journalists about past allegations of sexual harassment made by students at Harvard University in 1982 against her main rival, Nobel Laureate Derek Walcott ... "I apologize to Derek Walcott for doing something which could be misconstrued in the context of a large campaign that had nothing to do with me and which I didn't know about," Ms. Padel said in statement she read out at the Hay-on-Wye literary festival in Wales on Tuesday. (Christian Science Monitor)
Darwinian Struggle: A Poet Felled by Scandal May 27, 2009
The front runner, West Indian poet and Nobel laureate Derek Walcott, withdrew his candidacy four days before the poll after the resurrection of 1982 allegations that he sexually harassed a Harvard student. Appearing in the British media, those charges found their way to Oxford academics in anonymous letters. (Time.com)
Top prof job May 27, 2009
First veteran poet Derek Walcott, the initial favourite, withdrew from the running after an alleged smear campaign against him. Ruth Padel stood down after allegations of a smear campaign. (BBC News -- UK)
More Than Wordsworth: Oxford's Sex ScandalDirty e-mails; sexual harassment; what's happening at the University of Oxford? May 27, 2009
Ruth Padel, right, Oxford University's first female professor of poetry, speaks at a press conference at The Hay Festival, Hay-on-Wye, Wales, Tuesday, May 26, 2009, when she explained her resignation after acknowledging she had helped publicize charges that her rival for the post, Derek Walcott, shown in this file photo, left, had sexually harassed a former student. (Getty Images/AP Photo). (ABC News)
Reason but no rhyme: poet falls on sword May 27, 2009
But her election was marred by the decision of a Nobel literature laureate, Derek Walcott, to withdraw as a candidate after anonymous letters attacking him were sent to Oxford academics. In a statement on Monday Padel said: "I genuinely believe that I did nothing intentional that led to Derek Walcott's withdrawal from the election. I wish he had not pulled out. I did not engage in a smear campaign against him, but, as a result of student concern, I naively - and with hindsight unwisely - passed... (Sydney Morning Herald -- Entertainment)
Poet denies running sex smear campaign May 27, 2009
Ruth Padel stood down from the prestigious post on Monday after admitting sending emails to two journalists, pointing out already-known allegations levelled 27 years ago against Nobel Prize-winning poet Derek Walcott. "I have acted throughout in complete good faith, but I can, of course, see that people can misconstrue that," she said at a literary festival in Wales. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Entertainment)
* First woman professor of poetry at Oxford resigns May 27, 2009
Ruth Padel tipped off two reporters about stories on rival Derek Walcott, sparking an uproar ... Ruth Padel, the first woman elected as Oxfords professor of poetry, has resigned following claims she tipped off journalists about allegations that her chief rival for the post, Derek Walcott, had sexually harassed students ... Padel won the vote 10 days ago, but in a statement on Monday night she said: I genuinely believe that I did nothing intentional that led to Derek Walcotts withdrawal... (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- Business)
Oxford poet resigns over vote row May 26, 2009
But Ruth Padel said she had not engaged in smear tactics and had done "nothing intentional" to lead fellow contender Derek Walcott to pull out of the vote ... "So it's deeply, deeply disappointing that things worked out this way and that this kind of scurrilous... campaign was run against Derek Walcott.". (BBC News -- Entertainment)
Call for Oxford poet to quit on sex row May 24, 2009
According to The Sunday Times, Ms Padel had previously denied mentioning the claims of sexual harassment against Derek Walcott, the St Lucia-born Nobel laureate. She said she had "nothing to do with any behind-doors operation". (India Times, India)
* World News Quick Take May 18, 2009
Nobel Prize-winning poet Derek Walcott pulled out of the race on Tuesday, reportedly amid allegations of sexual harassment dating back to the early 1980s. Walcott told a newspaper he did not want to be part of the race if it has degenerated into a low and degrading attempt at character assassination. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World Business)
Padel named Oxford poet professor May 17, 2009
It followed the withdrawal of Nobel Laureate Derek Walcott following an anonymous letter campaign against him. The Oxford University role is regarded as one of the most influential in UK poetry behind that of the laureateship. (BBC News -- UK)
Oxford elects first female poetry professor May 17, 2009
Nobel Prize-winning poet Derek Walcott pulled out of the race on Tuesday, reportedly amid allegations of sexual harassment dating back to the early 1980s. The Saint Lucia-born Walcott told a British newspaper he did not want to be part of the race "if it has degenerated into a low and degrading attempt at character assassination.". (India Times)
Poet withdraws from Oxford race May 14, 2009
Nobel Laureate Derek Walcott has withdrawn from the race to become Oxford Professor of Poetry following an anonymous letter campaign against him. The 79-year-old pulled out after Oxford academics received letters reportedly detailing an allegation of sexual harassment made against the poet. (BBC News -- Entertainment)
Pacino's leading lady May 13, 2009
Poet cites 'low tactics' Derek Walcott, the Nobel Prize-winning poet and former BU professor, has withdrawn his name from consideration for a prestigious teaching post at Oxford University. Several British newspapers reported yesterday that Walcott, who retired from Boston University in 2007, pulled out after more than 100 Oxford academics were anonymously sent photocopied pages detailing a sexual-harassment claim made against Walcott by a Harvard student in 1982, and a harassment suit filed in... (Boston Globe)
AROUND THE USA: Arts feel economic impact Mar 2, 2009
World-renowned poets the likes of former U.S. poet laureate Robert Hass, Pulitzer Prize-winning poets Paul Muldoon and Franz Wright, Allen Ginsberg and Derek Walcott have all attended past festivals. "The Dodge Poetry Festival is the single most successful gathering about poetry in my lifetime," said American poet Edward Hirsch. (USA Today -- Life)
Black History Month events Feb 13, 2009
Authors on display represent a mixing of African, Caribbean, European and Native American cultures within the U.S. Featured writers include Maya Angelou, James Baldwin, Amiri Baraka, W.E.B. DuBois, Ralph Ellison, Charles Gordone, Lorraine Hansberry, Derek Walcott and Richard Wright. The exhibit showcases these writers through portraits, quotes and writings. (The Battalion, TX)
