– Former Newsday editor, David Kahn, passes away at 93
– Renowned cryptographer, David Kahn, dies at age 93.
Author and journalist David Kahn, a leading authority in cryptography, dies at 93
Author and journalist David Kahn, renowned for his expertise in cryptography, passed away on January 23, 2023, at the age of 93. He died at his assisted-living facility in the Bronx, where he had been residing since suffering a stroke in 2015. According to his family, Kahn succumbed to natural causes.
A pioneer in the field of cryptography
David Kahn was widely regarded as one of the foremost authorities in cryptography. His groundbreaking book, “The Codebreakers,” published in 1967, earned him recognition and acclaim. The Washington Post described it as “perhaps the definitive book” on the subject.
His son, Michael Kahn, emphasized that being a journalist was at the core of his father’s identity. When David wrote “The Codebreakers,” cryptography was a mysterious and obscure field. However, he shed light on it, much to the chagrin of influential figures in organizations like the CIA and the NSA. Despite their initial reservations, their perception of him changed over time. In 1995, David Kahn was named scholar-in-residence at the National Security Agency, and his expertise was widely acknowledged.
Kahn’s daughter-in-law, Shana Kahn, described him as outgoing, fun, and a true reporter in every sense. He possessed a deep curiosity about people and their stories, always eager to understand what made them tick.
A life dedicated to journalism and academia
David Kahn was born on February 7, 1930, in New York City. He grew up in Great Neck and attended Great Neck High School. After obtaining a degree from Bucknell University in 1951, he pursued further studies and earned a Ph.D. in history from Oxford University in England in 1974.
Kahn’s career in journalism began in the 1950s when he joined Newsday as a reporter. He worked there until 1963 before moving on to the New York Herald Tribune’s copy desk in Paris. He later taught journalism at New York University in the 1970s before returning to Newsday as an assistant editor. He remained with the publication until his retirement in the late 1990s.
Jack Millrod, Newsday’s director of editorial technology, fondly remembered Kahn as the most overqualified copy editor he had ever known. Despite not needing an expert in cryptology for their work, Kahn’s deep understanding of language and his writer’s sensibility made him an invaluable asset to the team.
A lasting legacy
David Kahn’s contributions to the field of cryptography extended beyond his writing. He donated over 2,800 books and 130,000 pages of notes to the National Cryptologic Museum, a part of the National Security Agency. He also gifted the museum with a first printed book on cryptology, Johannes Trithemius’s “Polygraphiae” from 1518. In recognition of his significant impact, a collection in his name was unveiled at the museum in 2010.
David Kahn’s deep connections within the intelligence community were evident in his ability to garner trusted sources at the CIA and NSA. His passion for cryptology began at a young age and was fueled by his fascination with Fletcher Pratt’s “Secret and Urgent,” a book he read as a child.
David Kahn is survived by his two sons, Michael and Oliver, as well as several nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and a grandnephew. His funeral service took place in Great Neck, followed by interment at Beth David Cemetery in Elmont.
David Kahn’s passing marks the end of an era for the field of cryptography. His groundbreaking work and dedication to journalism have left an indelible mark on the industry, and his contributions will be remembered for years to come.
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1. Former Newsday editor David Kahn, leading cryptographer, dies at 93
2. David Kahn, renowned cryptographer and former Newsday editor, passes away at 93.
