Former New York Times editor Jill Abramson to teach at Harvard

Former New York Times executive editor Jill Abramson will teach narrative nonfiction to undergraduates.

Jill Abramson

Former New York Times executive editor Jill Abramson ’76 will come to Harvard as a visiting lecturer for the 2014-2015 academic year, teaching undergraduate courses on narrative nonfiction in the Department of English. “I'm honored and excited to be teaching at Harvard in the coming academic year,” said Abramson, in Harvard’s announcement of her appointment. “Narrative nonfiction journalism is more important than ever. Its traditions and how it is changing in the digital transition are fascinating areas of study." Diana Sorensen, dean of arts and humanities and Rothenberg professor of Romance languages and literatures and of comparative literature, said, “Harvard is delighted to welcome Jill Abramson to the English department, where her students in the Writing Program will profit enormously from her insights, experience and brilliance.” Abramson’s appointment received coverage in both the Boston Globe and New York Times.

In a highly publicized shakeup, Abramson—who had served as executive editor since September 2011—was dismissed by Times publisher Arthur Ochs Sulzberger Jr., B ’85, on May 14 due to “an issue with management in the newsroom.” During her tenure of less than three years , the newspaper won eight Pulitzer Prizes. When the Times announced her appointment in the summer of 2011, Harvard Magazine noted the Crimson milestone : Abramson was the first woman to fill that job.

From 1997 to 2014, Abramson worked as an investigative reporter, Washington bureau chief, managing editor, and executive editor of the Times . She had been an investigative reporter and deputy Washington bureau chief at the Wall Street Journal from 1988 to 1997 and editor of Legal Times from 1985 to 1988. During her years at the Times, she also taught journalism writing seminars at Yale (from 2007 to 2011) and Princeton (in 2000).

As a college senior, Abramson was arts editor of the Harvard Independent . She received the Signet Society Medal in 2010, and is a member of the American Academy of Arts & Sciences and of the American Philosophical Society. Her books include Strange Justice: The Selling of Clarence Thomas (with Jane Mayer), Where They Are Now: The Story of the Women of Harvard Law 1974, and The Puppy Diaries: Raising a Dog Named Scout.

 

Related topics

You might also like

Harvard Alum Wins Economics Nobel Prize

Philippe Aghion helped show how “creative destruction” drives growth.

Harvard Football: Harvard 31, Merrimack 7

The Crimson stay unbeaten and uncover a new star.

Harvard’s New Playbook for Teaching with AI

Faculty across Harvard are rethinking assignments to integrate AI. 

Most popular

Harvard’s Class of 2029 Reflects Shifts in Racial Makeup After Affirmative Action Ends

International students continue to enroll amid political uncertainty; mandatory SATs lead to a drop in applications.

What Trump Means for John Roberts’s Legacy

Executive power is on the docket at the Supreme Court.

Harvard’s Endowment, Donations Rise—but the University Runs a Deficit

The annual financial report signals severe challenges to come.

Explore More From Current Issue

Illustration of tiny doctors working inside a large nose against a turquoise background.

A Flu Vaccine That Actually Works

Next-gen vaccines delivered directly to the site of infection are far more effective than existing shots.

Aisha Muharrar with shoulder-length hair, wearing a green blazer and white shirt.

Parks and Rec Comedy Writer Aisha Muharrar Gets Serious about Grief

With Loved One, the Harvard grad and Lampoon veteran makes her debut as a novelist.

A lively concert in a modern auditorium with an audience seated on multiple levels.

Concerts and Carols at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum

Tuning into one of Boston's best chamber music halls