Discoverers' letters inspire poets

Robert Falcon Scott and Charles Darwin inspire modern poetry

 

The BBC reports that ten of the UK's top poets have been commissioned to write works inspired by unique museum exhibits.

RF Scott, with his wife, Kathleen

The poets have been matched to collections at Cambridge University, which include objects such as Captain Scott's farewell letter to his wife and Charles Darwin's zoological specimens.

The project, known as Thresholds, includes the poets Daljit Nagra, Don Paterson and Jo Shapcott.

Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy described it as "an unprecedented initiative".

Each poet will spend two weeks in residence between January and March meeting researchers and exploring the collections. They will then write a poem inspired by the experience.

"This is a stunning level of commitment to poetry and poets," Duffy said. "These 10 residencies will create a unique collaboration of poets, creating a meeting of minds and disciplines and providing a catalyst for ideas."