NY Times columnist David Carr dies

Legendary New York Times media columnist David Carr died Thursday at the age of 58.

In a message to employees, Times executive editor Dean Baquet wrote that Carr had collapsed suddenly in the newsroom. He later died at St. Luke’s-Roosevelt Hospital in New York.

In my inbox now: Dean Baquet’s message to Times employees about the passing of David Carr. pic.twitter.com/Ps4MfX00AU

— Theodore Kim (@TheoTypes) February 13, 2015

Carr wrote about media for more than two decades. 

His obituary notes that he joined the Times in 2002 covering the magazine industry as a business reporter. Previously he wrote for The Atlantic Monthly, Washington City Paper and Minneapolis-based alternative weekly The Twin Cities Reader, among other publications.

{mosads}Hours before his death, Carr had hosted a discussion with journalist Glenn Greenwald and filmmaker Laura Poitras, two individuals who helped publish documents leaked by former National Security Agency contractor Edward Snowden detailing classified surveillance programs.

News of his death comes a day after another veteran journalist, Bob Simon of CBS News’s “60 Minutes,” died at the age of 73 after a car accident in New York City.

Carr was a central figure in the 2011 documentary “Page One: Inside the New York Times,” and his critical eye made him a respected figure in the world of journalism.

He leaves behind his wife, Jill Rooney Carr, and daughter Maddie, as well as twin daughters Erin and Meagan.

News of his death first surfaced in tweets from a pair of Times employees late Thursday night.

Within moments after his death was confirmed, media colleagues flocked to Twitter to pay tribute to Carr:

David Carr stood out because at a time when the news industry is struggling for its soul, he exemplified both soul and integrity. RIP

— Nicholas Kristof (@NickKristof) February 13, 2015

David Carr is one of the finest journalists and one of the best human beings I’ve ever known.

— a. o. scott (@aoscott) 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

David Carr was a thinker, an appreciator, an insightful, sometimes acerbic presence. You read him with confidence: he played it straight.

— Peggy Noonan (@Peggynoonannyc) February 13, 2015

David Carr was the most generous journalist I’ve ever known–nobody more willing to help his brethren. That was only one of his gifts

— Joe Nocera (@NoceraNYT) February 13, 2015

Carr was a great newsroom boss at @wcp. He was loud. He had fun, which made us have fun. He didn’t mind bad ideas, only a lack of ideas

— David Plotz (@davidplotz) February 13, 2015

Carr gave me my first story, my first job, my first ass-kicking over weak work. Taught journalism, taught being a standup guy. Heartbroken.

— Michael Schaffer (@michaelschaffer) February 13, 2015

Tonight I grieve with so, so many others who wouldn’t be where they are right now if not for the great, incomparable and loving @carr2n

— ErikWemple (@ErikWemple) February 13, 2015

Updated at 11:35 p.m.