Here’s a collection of remembrances about business journalist James Ledbetter, who died this week at the age of 60.
It feels so inadequate to write these words but Jim Ledbetter was a mentor, a hero, a friend. He gave me some of my first opportunities to be a journalist and did so much more than believe in me — he made me believe in myself. I'm shattered he's gone. https://t.co/9Xe7mxr7tV
— Paul Smalera (@smalera) October 30, 2024
Shocked and so, so sad about Jim Ledbetter's untimely passing. He was a great friend and a huge contributor to the Industry Standard, first as builder and leader of the NY Bureau and then doing the same for the European edition, and we later re-united at Reuters too. Among his…
— Jonathan Weber (@WeberWest) October 31, 2024
I am distraught. Jim Ledbetter was warm, wonderful generous, a great friend to many, and a great editor and reporter. He's the editor who commissioned the essay that turned into my book, Pound Foolish. He will be missed. I will miss him. https://t.co/XwuTrneKEJ
— Helaine Olen (@helaineolen) October 30, 2024
A huge loss. Jim was a hero of mine from my earliest days in journalism and when I had the chance to work for him, I felt like I'd made it. Smarter than anyone, so kind and generous to writers, a keeper of journalism's best traditions, a warm and funny man and proud, loving dad. https://t.co/2ziLo5J0eq
— Jeff Bercovici (@jeffbercovici) October 30, 2024
Terrible news. Jim was a great guy and wonderful journalist. https://t.co/0FHuUQMb7E
— Jesse Eisinger (@eisingerj) October 30, 2024
This is awful news. Jim was an outstanding human, a good friend, and one of the most thoughtful editors. May his memory be a blessing. https://t.co/ulWVRz1anA
— Ray Hennessey (@Hennesseyedit) October 30, 2024
Jim was one of the greats in NY media. He took a shot on me as a young reporter at The Industry Standard and were colleagues at Reuters. Amazing reporter, editor, columnist. Will miss him alot. https://t.co/omqlvcop3q
— Kenneth Li (@kenli729) October 30, 2024
Jim Ledbetter was the original media columnist. He pioneered the convention of analyzing the missteps and failings of The Times and others.
He always humored me when I was but a cub reporter at The Voice answering my dumb questions.
This really cuts.https://t.co/PRoJaTI6kq
— Edmund Lee 🐿️ 🗞️ (@edmundlee) October 30, 2024
Saddened to hear of Jim’s passing. He was a friendly face who greeted me fresh off the boat as an intern at The Village Voice and for years beyond at bars and poker games. RIP. https://t.co/qYapVkgBZS
— Eamon Lynch (@eamonlynch) October 30, 2024
This is such sad news. Jim was a fine journalists and a very well-grounded soul. His book One Nation Under Gold (about the gold standard) is a splendid read. https://t.co/UFpP0aUlDX
— Jeet Heer (@HeerJeet) October 30, 2024
Jim Ledbetter was the first person to give me a job in journalism when I moved to the U.S. He was everything I try to be as a journalist: Hardworking and smart, but also kind, modest and generous. He looked out for people, including me. I keep trying to pay it forward. https://t.co/6QsnXdRIQK
— Christopher Flavelle (@cflav) October 30, 2024
Jim did it all–and did it all better and longer than virtually anyone else. Look all around Twitter today and you'll see how many people regarded working with him as a highlight https://t.co/mfh76nsLK2
— Daniel Gross (@grossdm) October 30, 2024
Loved Jim Ledbetter since the day I met him in 1993 @villagevoice . Kind, sharp, emo, a great editor, a wicked wit, erudite but also a troubadour… I will never be able to make this make sense of his early departure & the hole he has left in NYC, the media & my♥️. @econhardship https://t.co/9ZcskOWY36
— Alissa Quart (@lisquart) October 31, 2024
After I took a buyout at Fortune on the cusp of 60, Jim hired me at Inc. I will always be grateful. He was a kind, supportive, accomplished professional. My thoughts and prayers are with his family. https://t.co/KePCN5auV8
— David Whitford (@davidwhitford) October 31, 2024
