'New York Times' names Jill Abramson first woman editor

The New York Times appointed Jill Abramson as its new executive editor, marking the first time a woman has been named to the highest editorial post in the newspaper's history.

Abramson, the paper's managing editor, will succeed Bill Keller, who will become a writer for the New York Times Magazine and for the paper's Sunday opinion section.

Assistant managing editor and Washington bureau chief Dean Baquet will become managing editor.

Both appointments are effective September 6, the New York Times Co said on Thursday.

"Bill came to me several weeks ago and told me that he felt the time had come for him to step down from the role of executive editor," Times Co chairman Arthur Sulzberger Jr said in a statement.

Sulzberger said he accepted Keller's decision with "mixed emotions," and said Abramson was the best person to fill the role.