Joseph Lelyveld Dies: Former New York Times Executive Editor, Pulitzer Prize Winner Was 86

Joseph Lelyveld , who won the 1986 Pulitzer Prize for nonfiction for his book, Move Your Shadow: South Africa, Black and White, and was a former executive editor and foreign correspondent for The New York Times , died on Friday at his Manhattan home. He was 86 and succumbed to complications of Parkinson’s disease, according to Janny Scott, his partner of 19 years and a former Times reporter.

Lelyveld was reported from Washington, Congo, India, Hong Kong, Johannesburg and London during his long career. Related Stories News 'Speed Racer' Actor Christian Oliver & 2 Daughters Killed In Caribbean Plane Crash News Derek Draper Dies: Husband Of Kate Garraway & Subject Of ITV's 'Finding Derek' Documentary Was 56 He served as the Times executive editor from 1994 to 2001, arguably the most powerful post in American journalism.

He oversaw a newspaper transitioning to the digital age, ushering in the New York Times website and the beginning of 24 hour news coverage. Lelyveld retired a week before the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. However, in June 2003, he returned to the top post in the wake of disclosures of journalistic fraud and plagiarism by a reporter, Jayson Blair.

He served in the role for six weeks, Bill Keller, a columnist and former Times correspondent, was named the executive editor. In a statement on Friday, former publisher Arthur Sulzberger, now chairman emeritus of The New York Times Company, said: “Everyone knows Joe as a giant in journalism, but first and foremost he was a thoughtful, compassionate man who cared deeply about his colleagues.

He was not only a great executive editor who steered The Times through some challenging moments at the advent of the internet, but he also returned to help heal the newsroom at a very low point. He will be remembered by many for journalistic triumphs and his humanity. I will always remember him as my dear friend.” In addition to Janny Scott, Lelyveld is survived by two daughters from his marriage, Amy and Nita Lelyveld, and a granddaughter..