Thursday, April 23, 1964 University Daily Kansan
Page 7
Untidy Poet Caused Controversy in 1800's
A 19th century English poet was once subject to an investigation because he left wine and cigar lucifers on his desk.
The poet was Arthur William Edgar O'Shaughnessy. The investigation the poet underwent was described in a talk given by William D Paden, professor of the English department, at the Faculty Forum, yesterday.
IN TELLING OF the 18 years O'Shaughnessy spent as a junior assistant of zoology at the British museum of natural history, Prof. Paden described the controversy which arose from the investigation.
"He was very nearsighted." Prof. Paden said of O'Shaughnessy. And during the time he spent at the museum "His attention to trays of bugs and beetles was disasterous," Prof. Paden said.
During the investigation of the poet, because of the "mess" on his
desk, O'Shaughnessy had supporters for his cause, as well as, persons who wanted to see him released from his position.
THE HEAD of the departments of natural history and Lord Linton, the man who had nominated O'Shaughnessy for his position, supported the poet. When O'Shaughnessy's case came up for consideration by the museum's board of trustees, the poet was severely reprimanded. Prof. Paden said, and asked for a report of O'Shaughnessy's conduct for the next three months.
The head of the zoology department wanted to dismiss O'Shaughnessy and wrote that he felt the poet was incompetent, Prof. Paden said. However, the controversy passed when it was discovered that information which applied to the investigation had been suppressed by the head of the zoology department.
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