News at Eleven: [Michael Massey Robinson] wrote poetic quips,

one of which was a disproved murder charge against a London alderman. He attempted to extort money by threatening to publish. Robinson was sentenced to death but reprieved and transported. In NSW this wily bard wrangled himself a pardon and was appointed poet laureate.

So, did dodgy Robinson really ruin it for generations of budding Australian poet laureates?

from The Courier Mail: Australia needs a poet laureate

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