Jill Abramson to replace Bill Keller as New York Times executive editor

The New York Times has appointed Jill Abramson as its first female executive editor in the 160-year history of the newspaper.

Abramson will replace Bill Keller, who is to step down in September to become a full-time writer at the newspaper.

Abramson, who grew up in New York, said that the promotion was like "ascending to Valhalla".

"In my house growing up, the New York Times substituted for religion. If The Times said it, it was the absolute truth."

Abramson joined the New York Times in 1997 from the Wall Street Journal, where she was a deputy bureau chief.

She became Washington editor in 1999 and then bureau chief in 2000.

"Without question, Jill is the best person to succeed Bill in the role of executive editor," said Arthur Sulzberger Jr., publisher of the newspaper and chairman of the New York Times Company.

"An accomplished reporter and editor, Jill is the perfect choice to lead the next phase of the New York Times's evolution into a multiplatform news organisation deeply committed to journalistic excellence.

"She’s already proven her great instincts with her choice of Dean Baquet to serve as managing editor."

Keller's resignation was announced this afternoon by Sulzberger. Dean Baquet, the Washington bureau chief and former editor of the Los Angeles Times, will become the new managing editor.

Keller, who is 62, has been editor of the newspaper for eight years. He praised Abramson, who has been his deputy since he was appointed to the role in 2003, and her replacement Baquet.

"Jill and Dean together is a powerful team. Jill’s been my partner in keeping the Times strong through years of tumult. At her right hand she will have someone who ran a great American newspaper, and ran it through tough times. That’s a valuable skill to have."

Sulzberger said he accepted Keller’s resignation "with mixed emotions".

"He’s been my partner for the last eight years," he said. According to the New York Times, Sulzberger said the decision to resign was entirely Keller's.

"He’s been an excellent partner. And we've grown together. If that’s where his heart is and his head is, then you have to embrace that."

Keller will be writing a column for the newspaper’s new Sunday opinion section, which will be introduced later this month, and continuing to contribute to The New York Times Magazine.

Image by Joe Shlabotnik on Flickr. Some rights reserved.

Free daily newsletter

If you like our news and feature articles, you can sign up to receive our free daily (Mon-Fri) email newsletter (mobile friendly).