Hello there! Welcome to the Vine.
Unlucky...yes

Try planting a new one with the crown raised further above the surface of the soil surface.

From what I gather from those gardeners here on the Vine who have acquired the difficult skill of killing off rhubarb...planting too deeply seems to be the common problem!

And a Flum says - loads of muck/feed near the crown. ( when I've planted my new ones out, I've never had the roots and stems in direct contact with the manure - could that be the secret formula??)

Other thing to think about is where you bought it from- ie how had they stored it???
There seem to be a lot of plants in plastic bags and peat-type soil hanging up in garden centres which have dried out or over sprouted. Pick a healthy looking plant- or better still nip down to a local allotment and ask if someone could sell you part of a crown- they'd probably give you some for free.

Let us know how you get on!