Will Shortz

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Will Shortz (born August 26, 1952) is a U.S. puzzle creator and editor.

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[edit] Early life

Will Shortz was born and raised on an Arabian horse farm in Crawfordsville, Indiana. Going to Indiana University in 1974, he is the only person known to hold a college degree in enigmatology,[1] the study of puzzles, after designing his own degree program. He also earned a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Virginia School of Law, though he skipped the bar exam and began a career in puzzles instead.

[edit] Career

Shortz began his career at Penny Press Magazines, then moved to Games Magazine for 15 years, and was editor from 1989-1993. He has been the crossword puzzle editor for The New York Times since 1993 (the fourth in the paper's history, following Eugene T. Maleska) and the puzzle master on NPR's Weekend Edition Sunday since the program's start in 1987. He is also the founder and director of the American Crossword Puzzle Tournament since 1978. He founded the World Puzzle Championship in 1992 and is a director of the U.S. Puzzle Team.

Shortz is the author or editor of more than 100 books and owns over 20,000 puzzle books and magazines dating back to 1545, reportedly the world's largest private library on the subject. He is currently the historian of the National Puzzlers' League, where he goes by the "nom" of WILLz (a rebus on his name: WILL + short Z).

On his 50th birthday, Shortz received a personal note from former U.S. President Bill Clinton, who is a fan of the The New York Times crossword puzzle.

He says that his favorite crossword of all time is the "Election Day" crossword from 1996, designed by Jeremiah Farrell. It had two correct solutions with the same set of clues, one saying that the "lead story tomorrow" would be "Bob Dole elected", and the other correct solution saying "Clinton elected".[2][3]

Shortz currently resides in Pleasantville, New York, where he works from home.

[edit] Publicity

The 2006 documentary Wordplay by Patrick Creadon focuses on Shortz and the American Crossword Puzzle Tournament. Various famous fans of his puzzles such as Bill Clinton, Ken Burns, Jon Stewart, The Indigo Girls and Mike Mussina make their appearances in the film.

Shortz has been a guest on a number of TV shows, including Martha Stewart Living, Oprah and The Daily Show.[4].

[edit] References

  1. ^ New York Times crossword editor to give "puzzling" lecture at IU. Indiana University (2000-03-29).
  2. ^ BarelyBad.com: " Theme Answers — Election Day 1996." Retrieved April 22, 2007.
  3. ^ American Crossword Puzzle Tournament: "Business Unusual: Will Shortz." Retrieved April 22, 2007.
  4. ^ The Oprah Winfrey Show: "How'd They Do That?" Retrieved April 22, 2007.

[edit] External links

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