Kosner, Edward A.
KOSNER, EDWARD A.
KOSNER, EDWARD A. (1937– ), U.S. editor. New York-born and bred, Kosner graduated from the City College of New York, where he had also served as the campus correspondent of the New York Times. After graduation in 1958, Kosner became a reporter for the New York Post, and later worked as a series writer and assistant city editor. In 1963 he joined Newsweek magazine as a national affairs writer, and over the next 16 years held all the top editorial positions, serving as editor from 1975 to 1979. During his tenure, Kosner wrote more than 20 cover stories on politics and urban affairs, and produced major projects, including "The Negro in America: What Must Be Done," "Poverty in America," and "Justice on Trial," which won the Robert F. Kennedy Journalism award and the American Bar Association's Silver Gavel award. Kosner also directed Newsweek's award-winning coverage of the Watergate scandal, which resulted in more than 40 cover stories. In 1980, Kosner became editor of New York magazine, and later held the titles of editor and publisher and editor and president. During 13 years at New York, the magazine set records in advertising and circulation and won four National Magazine Association awards. From 1993 to 1997 he was editor in chief of Esquire magazine, but the magazine's circulation and advertising faltered during a weak economic period. He served as president of the American Society of Magazine Editors and was a long-time member of its board of directors. In November 1998, Kosner joined the staff of the Daily News of New York as Sunday editor and set about revamping that edition. In March 2000 Kosner became editor in chief of the paper, which became involved in a nasty fight for circulation and advertising revenue with New York City's other principal tabloid, the New York Post. During Kosner's tenure the paper gave extensive coverage to the attack of September 11, the New York Mets-New York Yankees subway World Series, and published many exclusive investigative stories. The News was twice a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize. Kosner announced in July 2003 that he would be retiring when his contract with the News ended in March 2004, but he left the paper several months early.
[Stewart Kampel (2nd ed.)]