QUICK TAKES - May 2, 2009
Britain on Friday awarded the role of national poet laureate to Carol Ann Duffy -- the first woman to hold a post that has been filled by William Wordsworth, Alfred Lord Tennyson and Ted Hughes.
Duffy, who once said “no self-respecting poet” should have to write verses about the wedding of Queen Elizabeth II’s youngest son, will be expected to produce poems for royal weddings, funerals and other state occasions.
A witty and popular writer whose work is widely taught in British schools, Duffy is also the first openly gay laureate.
Duffy, 53, said she had thought “long and hard” before accepting the job, which has a 10-year term. She said she’d given the final decision to her 13-year-old daughter.
“She said, ‘Yes, Mummy, there’s never been a woman,’ ” Duffy said.
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