David French Joins New York Times Opinion Page

Former Dispatch Senior Editor, Time Columnist Brings Expertise on Law, Culture, Religion, Armed Conflict

New York, NY – June 27, 2023 – The New York Times today announced that David French, a prominent writer and legal scholar, has joined its staff as an Opinion columnist.

French, a senior editor at The Dispatch and a columnist at Time, is a widely respected voice on a range of issues, including law, culture, religion, and armed conflict. He is also the author of several bestselling books, including "Divided We Fall: America's Secession Threat and How to Restore Our Unity" and "Once an Eagle: The Inspiring Story of the Men Who Won the Battle of Midway."

"David French is one of the most insightful and original thinkers writing today," said Kathleen Kingsbury, the Times's Opinion editor. "His deep understanding of the law, his keen eye for detail, and his ability to write with clarity and passion will make him a valuable addition to our team."

French said he was drawn to the Times by its commitment to independent journalism and its tradition of publishing a wide range of viewpoints.

"The New York Times is the most important newspaper in the world," French said. "I am honored to have the opportunity to join its Opinion page and to contribute to the public discourse on the issues that matter most."

French will begin writing for the Times in July.

The Dispatch, where French had been a senior editor since 2019, announced that he was leaving to join the Times. "We are grateful for David's contributions to The Dispatch and wish him all the best in his new role," said Jonah Goldberg, the editor-in-chief of The Dispatch.

French is a graduate of Harvard Law School and the University of Pennsylvania. He has clerked for Judge J. Harvie Wilkinson III of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit and Justice Clarence Thomas of the U.S. Supreme Court.

French is the latest in a series of high-profile hires for the Times's Opinion page. In recent months, the Times has added Bari Weiss, Bret Stephens, and Ross Douthat to its roster of columnists.