Andrew Rosenthal

Andrew Rosenthal is an American journalist and editor best known for his long and influential career at The New York Times, where he ultimately served as the Editorial Page Editor for nearly a decade. The son of former Times executive editor A. M. Rosenthal, he built a distinguished reputation as a reporter, foreign correspondent, and editor, shaping the newspaper's opinion journalism during a period of significant digital transformation. After leaving The New York Times, he continued his work in journalism and commentary through roles at The New York Times Company's T Brand Studio, The Marshall Project, and as a columnist for USA Today.

Early life and education

Born in New York City in 1956, he is the son of the legendary New York Times executive editor A. M. Rosenthal and the stepson of author and editor Shirley Lord. His family background immersed him in the world of journalism from an early age; his uncle, Eugene L. Roberts, was also a prominent editor at The Philadelphia Inquirer. He attended the University of Wisconsin–Madison, where he studied political science and began his journalistic work at the student newspaper, *The Daily Cardinal*. This early experience set the foundation for his career, leading him to pursue journalism professionally after graduation.

Career at The New York Times

He joined The New York Times in 1987 following reporting stints at The Dallas Morning News and The Washington Star. He initially covered national politics, reporting on the 1988 presidential election and the administration of President George H. W. Bush. His career advanced significantly when he was assigned to the Moscow bureau in 1994, where he reported on the tumultuous post-Soviet era under President Boris Yeltsin. He later served as the newspaper's White House correspondent during the presidency of Bill Clinton, covering major events like the Whitewater controversy and the Monica Lewinsky scandal. In 1999, he transitioned to editing, first as Deputy National Editor and later as Assistant Managing Editor.

Editorial positions and influence

In 2007, he was appointed Editorial Page Editor of The New York Times, succeeding Gail Collins. In this role, he oversaw the entire editorial board and the Op-Ed page, directing the newspaper's institutional voice on a vast array of issues from the Iraq War and the Affordable Care Act to the presidencies of Barack Obama and Donald Trump. He was known for expanding the range of voices on the Op-Ed page and aggressively integrating digital platforms, launching blogs like *The Opinionator* and video series. Under his leadership, the editorial board won a Pulitzer Prize for Editorial Writing in 2012 for a series advocating for the New York State Legislature to reform the state's dysfunctional ethics laws.

Post-Times career and other work

After leaving The New York Times in 2016, he became the editorial director of T Brand Studio, the in-house content studio of The New York Times Company. He later served as the editor of editorial and op-ed pages at The Marshall Project, a nonprofit newsroom focusing on criminal justice issues. In 2018, he began writing a weekly opinion column for USA Today, offering commentary on national politics and media. He has also been a frequent commentator on television networks such as MSNBC and CNN, and has taught journalism at his alma mater, the University of Wisconsin–Madison.

Personal life

He is married to fellow journalist and former editor Susan Chira, who served as the foreign editor and later as a senior correspondent for The New York Times. The couple has two children. He has been open about the challenges and privileges of being part of a journalistic dynasty, often reflecting on the legacy of his father, A. M. Rosenthal. He resides in New York City and remains an active voice in discussions about the future of journalism and the role of the editorial page in the digital age.

Category:American journalists Category:The New York Times people Category:1956 births Category:Living people Category:University of Wisconsin–Madison alumni