Andrew Rosenthal
Learn the life, career, and views of Andrew Rosenthal, American journalist and former editorial page editor of The New York Times. Discover his background, influence, and notable commentary.
Introduction
Andrew Mark Rosenthal (born February 25, 1956) is an American journalist known for his long tenure at The New York Times, where he served as editorial page editor and later as an opinion columnist. As the son of prominent Times editor A. M. Rosenthal, Andrew carved his own path in journalism, covering wars, Washington politics, foreign affairs, and the evolution of media during the digital age. His influence lies in shaping opinion journalism, fostering conversations on public policy, and reflecting on the role of media in democracy.
Early Life and Family
Rosenthal was born on February 25, 1956, in New Delhi, India. The New York Times.
His mother was of Irish Catholic descent, while his father was Jewish.
He married Mary Beth Bierut, an attorney, in January 1994.
Education
Rosenthal earned a Bachelor of Arts in American History from the University of Denver in 1978.
His formal education grounded him in historical perspective—a useful foundation for assessing media’s role in times of change.
Career and Achievements
Early career & Associated Press
After college, Rosenthal worked for the Associated Press (AP), becoming its Moscow bureau chief, covering the Soviet Union during pivotal moments of perestroika and decline.
This foreign-assignment experience sharpened his skills in international reporting, context, and the pressures of covering stories under political constraints.
Joining The New York Times
Rosenthal joined The New York Times in March 1987.
In his early years at NYT, he covered major beats:
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He reported from Washington, covering the Bush administration.
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He covered the 1992 presidential election and the Gulf War.
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In 2000, he briefly served as national editor, managing coverage of the contentious U.S. presidential election and the Florida recount.
Over his career, he held leadership roles including Washington editor, foreign editor, and assistant managing editor for news before rising to lead the editorial pages.
orial Page or at The Times
On January 8, 2007, Rosenthal became editorial page editor of The New York Times. April 2016, making him one of the longest-serving editors of the opinion pages in modern NYT history.
As editorial page editor, he managed:
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The editorial board
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The Op-Ed and Letters pages
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The integration of these opinion functions into digital operations and
Under his leadership, innovations included expanding the online editorial presence, launching the Sunday Review commentary section, and overseeing the Op-Docs documentary series, which won major media awards.
He also oversaw the Times’ “A Nation Challenged” series following the September 11, 2001 attacks, a special daily section that contributed to a Pulitzer Prize for Public Service in 2002.
In March 2016, Rosenthal stepped down from that role, moving into a column-writing and podcast role at the Times.
Later roles & ventures
After stepping down:
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Rosenthal continued writing as an opinion columnist and contributing to podcasting efforts with the Times.
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In April 2021, he was recruited as editor-in-chief of Bulletin, a Swedish online newspaper, though the venture was troubled and eventually declared bankrupt in 2022.
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He has also been teaching politics at Sarah Lawrence College.
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Rosenthal also holds membership in the Council on Foreign Relations.
Historical Milestones & Context
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Rosenthal’s career spans major transformations in journalism: the shift from print to digital, the rise of online opinion forums, and debates over media bias, echo chambers, and the role of newspapers in 21st-century democracies.
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His leadership at NYT occurred during high-stakes political years (e.g. the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, polarization, the 2008 financial crisis).
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He witnessed and took part in the internal restructuring of NYT opinion operations to adapt to multi-platform readership.
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His tenure demonstrates the tension between editorial independence and journalistic standards amid evolving business pressures.
Legacy and Influence
Andrew Rosenthal’s significance lies in:
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Shaping opinion journalism
He led one of the world’s most influential opinion platforms, balancing editorial voice with credibility. -
Bridging old and new media
Under his watch, the NYT editorial side moved more deeply into digital content and multimedia formats. -
Mentorship and institutional memory
He worked across many departments and mentored successors in opinion journalism. -
Public commentary on media itself
Post-editing, he often reflects on journalism’s challenges, press freedom, and the public trust. -
Global perspective
His foreign reporting and leadership at a Swedish site reflect a view of journalism beyond U.S. borders.
Personality, Approach, and Style
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Rosenthal is known for being thoughtful, deliberate, and anchored in journalistic principles even when navigating controversial topics.
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He often emphasizes context, nuance, and historical perspective in his commentary.
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Despite being the son of a prominent editor, he has described striving to forge his own identity in journalism.
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In interviews, he has acknowledged his mistakes or regrets, reflecting a willingness to critique the profession and his own role.
Selected Quotes & Perspectives
While Andrew Rosenthal is more known for journalism and analysis than for aphoristic quotations, a few noteworthy statements capture his perspectives:
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In a memoir-style reflection, he said: “I’ll be writing about my journey through journalism, from the pre-internet era to today… It’s a story … the people I’ve met … my life in journalism.”
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On following in his father’s footsteps: in interviews he has remarked that he “avoided journalism like the plague” early on, in part to resist legacy pressure.
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In a Times article: “I Never Wrote for My Father.” — a title he used in his orial Observer piece to clarify his journalistic identity.
These reflect his reflections on legacy, autonomy, and the evolution of his profession.
Lessons from Andrew Rosenthal
From Rosenthal’s life and career, several lessons emerge for journalists, media professionals, and observers of public discourse:
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Balance legacy with independence — Even as he inherited a journalistic lineage, he strove to define his own path.
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Adapt to changing media landscapes — He guided a traditional editorial operation into digital and multimedia domains.
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Value institutional continuity and innovation — He maintained traditions (editorial rigor) while instituting change (Op-Docs, online opinion).
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Pay attention to context and nuance — Especially in polarization, the depth of analysis matters more than sound bites.
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Reflect critically on your role — His post-editorial writings often question the responsibilities and limits of the press.
Conclusion
Andrew Rosenthal’s career maps the arc of modern journalism: from foreign correspondent to opinion editor, from print to digital, from national to global. He has influenced how media frames public debate while navigating tensions between heritage, integrity, and innovation. In studying his story, one gains insight into how journalism evolves, how power is wielded through ideas, and how voices are shaped in public life.