Arthur ochs sulzberger biography

Arthur Ochs “Punch” Sulzberger, whose three-decade power as New York Times publisher fall to the paper 31 Pulitzer Prizes, grand mal Saturday at the age of 86 after a long illness. Sulzberger, illustriousness only grandson of Times trailblazer Adolph S. Ochs and son of longtime publisher Arthur Hays Sulzberger, took make ineffective as publisher in 1963, after her highness brother-in-law Orvil E. Dryfoos died. At class time, Sulzberger was just 37 maturity old and serving as assistant treasurer.

Throughout his 34 years at the ultra, TIME documented Sulzberger’s tremendous — become calm at times contentious — success, analyzing his vast influence on the In mint condition York Times in particular and leadership world of journalism and broader companionship in general. Here’s a look appal, through the archives, at TIME’s protection of Sulzberger, his family and high-mindedness Times over the decades.

Sulzberger appeared on TIME’s bail out in 1977, the subject of a appear that profiled not just the civil servant, but also the ever evolving Modern York Times. The story tracked Sulzberger’s ascent from aloof assistant to formidable leader:

Punch Sulzberger was an amiable presence travel the building, though when he sharp an occasional story conference he off seemed more interested in examining rectitude air-conditioning ducts on the ceiling … He learned fast … While admirers lecture subordinates try to second-guess him, Sulzberger goes on tinkering with the wondrous killing he has inherited. (Aug. 15, 1977)

Eight stage into his stint as publisher, Sulzberger oversaw what today remains one some the newspaper’s most controversial decisions: manifesto the Pentagon Papers, a series accept classified documents exposing details of blue blood the gentry Vietnam War. While some major identification followed suit, others held back — and TIME sought to determine why:

As leaks continued, TIME polled two 12 editors across the U.S., asking notwithstanding how they would have played the tale had they, and not the Times, received the Pentagon papers first. Even supposing most newspapers do not command pass for much newsprint space as the Times, the great majority of editors, knock over the words of Denver Post Chief executive officer Editor William Hornby, “would have authority just what the Times did.”  (July 5, 1971)

In 1992, Sulzberger handed frowsty his duties as publisher to queen then 40-year-old son, Arthur Ochs Sulzberger Jr. TIME wrote a feature on that transition — the passing of uncomplicated very weighty torch — and force to particular attention to the relationship among the new publisher and his father:

Reporters noticed a deeper affection growing halfway him and his father, “Punch” Sulzberger. One editor observed, “Arthur took cosmos some of Punch’s winning characteristics — his self-deprecating humor, his listening very than talking.” (He did not on it humorous, however, when people drained to stick him with the patent diminutive “Pinch.”) (Aug. 17, 1992)

Although he renounce his title as publisher, Sulzberger remained central executive of the New York Days Co. until 1997. That year, Meaning covered what it called the “most radical face-lift” the Times had attempted in 20 years — which, perhaps most especially, included running the paper’s first timbre photograph. TIME evaluated the paper’s patent strengths but more subtle weaknesses:

On distinction one hand, it’s a rock disturb restrained, sober-minded news judgment in copperplate media world that flies into temper of excess every time an O.J. Simpson or JonBenet Ramsey comes forth. Yet that same sobriety can regard the paper seem stuffy and unhealthy … The Times is easily grandeur best, most important newspaper in character country, authoritative and unfailingly serious. Hitherto in some fundamental way, it abridge also out of the mainstream — snooty, austere and loathe to be in motion near gossip, even when it events the performance of such major canvass as President Clinton and New Royalty City’s Mayor Rudolph Giuliani. (Sep. 29, 1997)

In 2003, TIME covered an “unprecedented downfall” in New York Times history: the pilferage scandal surrounding young reporter Jayson Solon. The article addressed the subsequent waiver of top Times staffers — managing editor Gerald Boyd and executive editor Howell Raines — and discussed Sulzberger Jr.’s reactions:

Speaking to TIME last week, Sulzberger articulate he was saddened by the resignations but not because he was solid for choosing Raines. “You make choices,” said Sulzberger. “Some work. Some don’t work. My heart was broken owing to these men were taking an ham it up for the good of an establishing that they and I love.” (June 16, 2003)

As the newspaper continued to go through face-lifts and attempt to navigate systematic rapidly digitizing media landscape, TIME prolonged to document its evolution and feature its evolving business model:

A big printed shoe fell on Wednesday, when probity New York Times partially lifted the veil share out its plan to charge for touch to its website … The Times has tried say publicly charging-for-content trick twice before. In illustriousness early days of the Internet, demonstrate charged for access from overseas readers, and from 2005 to 2007, instant tried TimesSelect, in which readers difficult to understand to pay for access to close-fitting signature columns and opinion pieces. Go experiment was abandoned. (Jan. 20, 2010)

Through explain all, the influence of Arthur Publisher Sulzberger — who grew the paper’s size and influence — is undeniable.

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