Abe Rosenthal, former editor of N.Y. Times

A.M. "Abe" Rosenthal began his career at The New York Times as a stringer in 1943 and eventually rose to the post of executive editor. He died Wednesday at age 84. (JEFFERY A SALTER / AP)

NEW YORK — A.M. "Abe" Rosenthal, a demanding editor who lifted The New York Times from economic doldrums in the 1970s and molded it into a journalistic juggernaut known for distinguished reporting of national and world affairs, died Wednesday at age 84.

He died of complications from a stroke he suffered two weeks ago, according to the newspaper.

Mr. Rosenthal spent virtually all his working life at The New York Times, beginning as a campus stringer in 1943. His coverage of Warsaw's communist regime in the late 1950s earned him expulsion from the country — and journalism awards: the 1960 Pulitzer Prize for international reporting and the first of two Polk awards.

From there, he rose to managing editor and finally to the exalted office of executive editor, a post he held for nine years beginning in 1977.

"Abe was a giant among journalists," retired publisher Arthur Ochs Sulzberger said in a statement. "He was a great editor with extraordinary loyalty to his troops."

On Mr. Rosenthal's watch, The New York Times underwent sweeping changes to expand advertising and readership. The newspaper also published the "Pentagon Papers," a history of America's secret involvement in Vietnam, which won the paper one of its many Pulitzer Prizes in 1972.

Mr. Rosenthal also barred the use of "Ms." or the word "gay" in reference to homosexuals — a far cry from the newspaper's later emphasis on diversity. He also began the paper's practice, now imitated by many others, of running corrections as a prominent daily fixture.

In 1986, facing mandatory retirement, Mr. Rosenthal stepped down as editor to assume a new role as a twice-weekly columnist. Thirteen years later, he was dismissed abruptly, with no explanation, he said, other than a comment by publisher Arthur Sulzberger Jr. that "it's time."

While acknowledged as a brilliant and incisive editor who, in the words of one New York Times veteran, "could instantly grasp the essence of any story and how it should be played in the paper," Mr. Rosenthal's temperament was less admired. To some detractors he was an overbearing tyrant, whose autocratic behavior could, and sometimes did, derail a promising career.

Mr. Rosenthal was born Abraham Michael Rosenthal in Ontario. His father was a Russian Jewish immigrant who died of injuries from a fall when Mr. Rosenthal was 12. He also lost four of his five older sisters to illnesses.

He separated in 1985 from his wife of 36 years, the former Ann Marie Burke. In 1987, he married a Vogue editor, Shirley Lord. He is survived by Lord; sons Jonathan, Daniel and Andrew; a sister; and four grandchildren.

Details on Mr. Rosenthal's childhood and survivors were provided by the Los Angeles Times.