First female poetry professor
Ruth Padel, who was elected at the weekend, is the first female to take on the role since it was created in 1708. She also follows in the footsteps of Matthew Arnold, WH Auden and Seamus Heaney.
After a very public battle, which saw the withdrawal of Nobel Laureate Derek Walcott, the Oxford alumna secured the prestigious post with 297 votes cast by graduates and academic staff.
