William Safire ending NY Times column

NEW YORK, Nov. 15 (UPI) -- Columnist William Safire reportedly is set to retire after 30 years as the conservative voice of the New York Times' Op-Ed page.

The 74-year-old journalist's last regular column will appear Jan. 24, Times spokeswoman Catherine Mathis said Monday, Editor and Publisher reported.

Safire plans to continue writing his "On Language" feature for the Sunday New York Times Magazine, but his syndicated column will cease.

"The New York Times without Bill Safire is all but unimaginable. Reaching for his column became a critical and enjoyable part of the day for our readers across the country and around the world," Times Chairman Arthur O. Sulzberger Jr. said.

Safire joined the Times in 1973 after working as a speech writer for President Nixon. In 1978, Safire won a Pulitizer Prize for distinguished commentary.

Safire plans to spend his time working for the Dana Foundation, a philanthropy supporting brain science, immunology and arts education. Safire has worked with the Dana Foundation since 1993.