David Carr, New York Times Columnist, Dead at 58
Veteran New York Times columnist, reporter, and author David Carr died in the paper's newsroom Thursday night. He was 58.
He was pronounced dead at Mt. Sinai-Roosevelt hospital and leaves behind a wife and three daughters.
Carr's death was first reported by Times employees on Twitter, who were informed he had passed before the news was made public. Times executive editor Dean Baquet sent out the following email to Times employees:
Carr was a celebrated writer and commentator who covered media and business for the Times for more than 10 years. He also wrote for the Atlantic, New York Magazine and inside.com; before moving to New York City, he edited the Washington City Paper, and before that, the Twin Cities Reader—where he got his first big break, which you can read here.
But throughout Carr's 25-year career as a journalist, he also wrote extensively about his personal life, detailing his recovery from cocaine addiction in a 2008 memoir, The Night of the Gun.
The outpouring of grief in media (and other) circles on Twitter is the best testament to the esteem with which Carr was held by journalists and editors—not just for his writing and reporting, but for his hiring and mentorship, and for his well-known skill as a conversationalist and party guest.
David Carr was a great journalist & a great person. He introduced us to his daughter after the event, who he was always praising. So sad-RIP
— Glenn Greenwald (@ggreenwald) February 13, 2015
Here's Carr in my backyard doing what he loved most: smoking, drinking coffee, and working on his column. pic.twitter.com/nkz9NGVBXT
— Nick Bilton (@nickbilton) February 13, 2015
David Carr was it.
— MATT DRUDGE (@DRUDGE) February 13, 2015
Just beyond devastated at the passing of @carr2n. Admired him as much as any single person in media. Fearless, curious, humane, wise, kind.
— Christopher Hayes (@chrislhayes) February 13, 2015
Another memory: July 4 up north; pal/me in canoe; fireworks suddenly whiz at our heads; @carr2n & pals laugh manically; dock catches on fire
— David Brauer (@dbrauer) February 13, 2015
Tonight I will play for David Carr. Some of the most exciting/inspiring talks & dinners I have ever had were with him. I am heartbroken.
— Carrie Brownstein (@Carrie_Rachel) February 13, 2015
Course I learned David Carr passed away while I was onstage. We've been brothers since we met at a MPLS comedy club 32 yrs ago. I love him.
— Tom Arnold (@TomArnold) February 13, 2015
A light went out.
— Nick Denton (@nicknotned) February 13, 2015
Shocked by the loss of the brilliant, mordant media critic David Carr. A true original. Desperately sad.
— Tina Brown (@TinaBrownLM) February 13, 2015
Years ago David Carr interviewed a bunch of us for a story on EW. At the end, he said, "Some of you are smart. Some aren't," smiled, & left.
— Mark Harris (@MarkHarrisNYC) February 13, 2015
Just a few hours before his death, Carr moderated a panel interview with Edward Snowden, Glenn Greenwald, and Citzenfour director Laura Poitras, which was broadcast on livestream.
