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First female Poet Laureate named First female Poet Laureate named
(10 minutes later)
Carol Ann Duffy has been named as the new Poet Laureate, the first woman to be appointed in the 341-year history of the post.Carol Ann Duffy has been named as the new Poet Laureate, the first woman to be appointed in the 341-year history of the post.
Duffy, 53, who takes over immediately from Andrew Motion and will serve 10 years in the position, says she will give the £5,750 annual payment away.Duffy, 53, who takes over immediately from Andrew Motion and will serve 10 years in the position, says she will give the £5,750 annual payment away.
The author, who is best known for her collection The World's Wife, is also the first Scot to be named Laureate.The author, who is best known for her collection The World's Wife, is also the first Scot to be named Laureate.
PM Gordon Brown praised Duffy as "a truly brilliant modern poet". Duffy said she felt "very honoured and humbled" by her appointment.
Duffy told BBC Radio 4's Woman's Hour she thought "long and hard" about taking the appointment. The poet told BBC Radio 4's Woman's Hour she had thought "long and hard" about taking the appointment.
"I look on it as a recognition of the great woman poets we have writing now," she said."I look on it as a recognition of the great woman poets we have writing now," she said.
"I've decided to accept it for that reason.""I've decided to accept it for that reason."
Mr Gordon Brown wished the new Laureate well and added: "She is a truly brilliant modern poet who has stretched our imaginations by putting the whole range of human experiences into lines that capture the emotions perfectly."Mr Gordon Brown wished the new Laureate well and added: "She is a truly brilliant modern poet who has stretched our imaginations by putting the whole range of human experiences into lines that capture the emotions perfectly."
Duffy's works are both accessible and critically acclaimed. Culture Secretary Andy Burnham said Duffy "has achieved something that only the true greats of literature manage. That is to be regarded as both popular and profound."
She was such a strong favourite to take up the position that bookmakers stopped taking bets on her appointment earlier in the week.
She has decided to donate her yearly honorarium for the new post to the Poetry Society to fund a prize for the best poetry collection of the year.She has decided to donate her yearly honorarium for the new post to the Poetry Society to fund a prize for the best poetry collection of the year.
The job also comes with a payment of a "butt of sack" or, in modern terms, about 600 bottles of sherry.The job also comes with a payment of a "butt of sack" or, in modern terms, about 600 bottles of sherry.
Duffy told Woman's Hour: "Andrew [Motion] hasn't had his yet so I've asked for mine up front."Duffy told Woman's Hour: "Andrew [Motion] hasn't had his yet so I've asked for mine up front."
She was such a strong favourite to take up the position that bookmakers stopped taking bets on her appointment earlier in the week.
'Difficult poems''Difficult poems'
The reigning monarch chooses the Laureate on the advice of the government.The reigning monarch chooses the Laureate on the advice of the government.
Part of Duffy's role over the next 10 years will be to write works commemorating royal events.Part of Duffy's role over the next 10 years will be to write works commemorating royal events.
Her predecessor, Motion, told the BBC he had found these "very difficult poems to write" and there are signs Duffy may also struggle with this side of the job.Her predecessor, Motion, told the BBC he had found these "very difficult poems to write" and there are signs Duffy may also struggle with this side of the job.
After being passed over for the Laureate job in 1999, she commented: "I will not write a poem for Edward and Sophie. No self-respecting poet should have to."After being passed over for the Laureate job in 1999, she commented: "I will not write a poem for Edward and Sophie. No self-respecting poet should have to."
However, she has voiced her enthusiasm for the opportunities the role brings to raise the profile of poetry saying "it's good to have someone who's prepared to say poetry is part of our national life".However, she has voiced her enthusiasm for the opportunities the role brings to raise the profile of poetry saying "it's good to have someone who's prepared to say poetry is part of our national life".
Critically acclaimedCritically acclaimed
Her willingness to take on personal topics and her use of humour make her a popular poet. Her last collection, 2005's Rapture, followed the course of a love affair.Her willingness to take on personal topics and her use of humour make her a popular poet. Her last collection, 2005's Rapture, followed the course of a love affair.
Her first themed collection, The World's Wife, spoke of great men, myths and moments in history through the women in the background. It included poems called Mrs Midas and Queen Kong.Her first themed collection, The World's Wife, spoke of great men, myths and moments in history through the women in the background. It included poems called Mrs Midas and Queen Kong.
In 2002 she was made a CBE. The poet's work is taught in schools at GCSE and AS level. She is critically acclaimed, winning multiple prizes, including the TS Eliot prize for Rapture.In 2002 she was made a CBE. The poet's work is taught in schools at GCSE and AS level. She is critically acclaimed, winning multiple prizes, including the TS Eliot prize for Rapture.
Duffy was born in the Gorbals area of Glasgow but now lives in Manchester.Duffy was born in the Gorbals area of Glasgow but now lives in Manchester.
She still works as the Creative Director of the Writing School at the Manchester Metropolitan University, but her job there may have to be scaled back in light of her new commitments.She still works as the Creative Director of the Writing School at the Manchester Metropolitan University, but her job there may have to be scaled back in light of her new commitments.