Will Shortz, puzzlemaster

Will Shortz is perhaps the best-known name in puzzles. Crossword editor of the

, he also appears weekly on National Public Radio's

. He was previously the editor of

magazine. Throughout his career he has written or edited more than 250 books, including the

series of Sudoku books from St. Martin’s Press. In addition to writing and editing books, Shortz also owns the world’s largest puzzle library, including more than 20,000 puzzle books and magazines dating back to 1545.

Shortz has received national recognition, having been named one of Esquire Magazine’s “The Best 100 People in the World” in 1997. He was also the subject of the 2006 documentary

, which focuses on the American Crossword Puzzle Tournament, which he founded in 1978. The tournament is the nation’s oldest and largest crossword competition.

He is the only person in the world to have received a degree in enigmatology, the study of puzzles, which he earned from Indiana University. He also has a law degree from the University of Virginia School of Law.

A resident of Pleasantville, NY, Mr. Shortz enjoys traveling, playing table tennis and collecting puzzle books.