Will Shortz

Will Shortz is currently one of the well known persons behind the popular crossword puzzle. Aside from being a puzzle master, he is also an editor at New York Times, a world puzzle tournament director, and a game historian. Childhood and Education

Childhood and Education

Will Shortz was born in August 26, 1952 in Crawfordsville, Indiana. Because of his early interest in puzzles, Shortz was able to create and sell his first puzzle to Venture when he was 14. Two years after, he became a regular games and puzzle contributor of Dell puzzle publications. Shortz attended college in Indiana University and completing enigmatology in 1974. Based on worldwide records, he is the only person known to have completed such course. This is made possible by Indiana University's Individualized Major Program. Enigmatology is the study of puzzles or the inexplicable situations or occurrences. In 1977, Shortz has also completed his Juris Doctor degree from the University Of Virginia School Of Law.

His Career and Profession

The very first working exposure of Will Shortz was at the ages of 14 to 16. He has continued working on crossword puzzles and sold much of his work to publications such as Venture and Dell of the Penny Press Magazines. Shortz shifted working to Games magazine and stayed there for 15 years where he eventually became the editor from 1989 to 1993. After his stint at Games, he now works as the crossword puzzle editor of the New York Times and as a puzzle master of the program Weekend Edition Sunday. Shortz was the founder of the World Puzzle Championship in 1992 and is currently the director or head of the U.S. Puzzle Team. He is also currently a game historian of the National Puzzler's League.

His Popular Works

Majority of the puzzles created by Will Shortz are published on New York Times and on the Weekend Edition. But some of his works has also been used in television shows and movies. One of his puzzles became part of the film Batman Forever. On the other hand, his Election Day puzzle on November 5, 1996 was so popular that former U.S. President Bill Clinton eventually became one of his fans.

Film and Television Features

A movie or documentary revolving around the subject of crossword puzzles and tournament was created and shown in 2006. Shortz is the main character and the film also features some of his big fans like Bill Clinton, Jon Stewart, Mike Mussina, and the Indigo Girls. Shortz has also been invited to guests in popular shows like Oprah, Martha Stewart Living, The Daily Show, The Colbert Report, The Simpsons, How I Met Your Mother, etc. Awards and Citations Will Shortz was awarded with an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree from the Wabash College in Indiana. He was also been invited to deliver a commencement address in his alma mater in May 2008.