Yale UP director John Donatich to retire next year

John Donatich, director of Yale University Press, is to retire on 30th June 2025, after more than two decades leading the publisher.

An international recruitment process will now begin for his successor.

Peter Salovey, president of Yale University, said: “John has served with distinction for over 20 years, and he will be greatly missed. Since arriving at the press in 2003, John has expanded its award-winning trade list, transformed its scholarly publishing programmes, and forged numerous new publishing and distribution partnerships.”

Donatich is credited with strengthening the press’ financial footing by spearheading fundraising efforts in excess of $40m; he was also founding editor of the Cecile and Theodore Margellos World Republic of Letters, dedicated to bringing world literature into the English language, with authors published to date including three recent Nobel Laureates: Elfriede Jelinek, Patrick Modiano and Annie Ernaux. Other series conceived or overseen by Donatich include Why X Matters and several sets of short, thematic biographies: Jewish Lives, Ancient Lives, and the recently launched Black Lives. His tenure also saw the launch in 2007 of the Anchor Yale Bible Series, in 2011 the Stalin Digital Archive, in 2013 the Interaction of Color mobile app for iPad and microsite, and the 2019 Art and Architecture ePortal, the first aggregated site to host illustrated art historical content.

Donatich also led the expansion of Yale University Press’ art and architecture list to encompass monographs, trade books, exhibition and collection catalogues, including catalogues from the Metropolitan Museum of Art and dozens of museums from around the world.

Heather McCallum, m.d. and publisher of Yale University Press London, described Donatich as "an inspirational leader", saying: “His passion for our unique mission, our exceptional books and authors extends across every element of the press globally. John is the driving force in our critical distinction in prizes, stellar reviews and notices, as well as our commercial success. He is a champion of Yale University Press London and appreciates our distinct contribution to the overall publishing achievement.”

Donatich said it had been "a privilege and honour" to lead the press, commenting: “I am most grateful for my colleagues’ professionalism and excellence; we have fulfilled our primary mission of publishing rigorous and challenging books that display not only scholarly rigour and financial sustainability but that shine with a certain lustre, attract critical attention, win prestigious prizes, are talked about and loved, and, as things of beauty, sell prominently. I’ve always believed that books are a form of activism as well as a kind of charm; each has the power to change the world one mind at a time. I feel so proud and lucky to have been at the helm of Yale Press, taking up that charge every day, and leaving a legacy of publications that matter.”