Will Shortz
NPR's Puzzlemaster Will Shortz has appeared on Weekend Edition Sunday since the program's start in 1987. He's also the crossword editor of The New York Times, the former editor of Games magazine, and the founder and director of the American Crossword Puzzle Tournament (since 1978).
Will sold his first puzzle professionally when he was 14 — to Venture, a denominational youth magazine. At 16 he became a regular contributor to Dell puzzle publications. He is the only person in the world to hold a college degree in Enigmatology, the study of puzzles, which he earned from Indiana University in 1974.
Born in 1952 and raised on an Arabian horse farm in Indiana, Will now lives near New York City in a Tudor-style house filled with books and Arts and Crafts furniture. When he's not at work, he enjoys bicycling, movies, reading, travel, and collecting antique puzzle books and magazines.
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NPR's Ayesha Rascoe plays the puzzle with this week's winner Michael Carniello from Deerfield Ill., and puzzle master Will Shortz. -
NPR's Ayesha Rascoe plays the puzzle with this week's winner John Nacy from Jefferson City, Missouri and puzzle master Will Shortz. -
NPR's Debbie Elliott plays the puzzle with puzzlemaster Will Shortz and listener Clark Neider of Pheonix. -
NPR's Ayesha Rascoe plays the puzzle with this week's winner Darryl Nester from Bluffton, Ohio and puzzle master Will Shortz. -
NPR's Ayesha Rascoe plays the puzzle with Leslea Smith, of Hillsboro, Oregon, along with Weekend Edition puzzle master, Will Shortz. -
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NPR's Ayesha Rascoe plays the puzzle with WUNC listener Jean Haddock of Louisburg, North Carolina, and Weekend Edition Puzzlemaster Will Shortz. -
NPR's Ayesha Rascoe plays the puzzle with WGVU listener Hal Babcock of Cedar Springs, Mich., and Weekend Edition Puzzlemaster Will Shortz. -
NPR's Lauren Frayer plays the puzzle with WGBH listener Gig Moineau of Newton, Massachusetts, and Weekend Edition Puzzlemaster Will Shortz.
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NPR's Ayesha Rascoe plays the puzzle with WKSU listener Cary Seidman of Cleveland Heights, Ohio, and Weekend Edition Puzzlemaster Will Shortz.
