Bernice Gordon

Bernice Gordon (January 11, 1914 – January 29, 2015) was an American constructor of crosswords. She created puzzles for many publications after beginning her career in the early 1950s, and holds the record as the oldest contributor to The New York Times crossword puzzle. A 1965 Times puzzle she wrote is credited as the first rebus puzzle, fitting an exclamation point into a single square. She celebrated her 100th birthday in 2014, just a few weeks after the 100th anniversary of the crossword. Gordon started creating her own puzzles for fun in the early 1950s, shortly after her first husband died. She subsequently broke her own record by being published in the Times at age 96, 97, 98 99,

Publishers and editors Newspaper or Publisher !! Editor(s) !! Years

Eugene T. Maleska Will Weng Margaret Farrar 1952–2014

2009 Times puzzle editor Will Shortz attended Gordon's 100th birthday party in Philadelphia.

Notable puzzles

Use of symbols and signs On Sunday, May 30, 1965, Gordon made puzzle history by introducing a convention-busting puzzle with answers including 'COWBOYS&INDIANS', 'CARMEN MIR&A', and 'SC&INAVIA', using ampersand signs in place of letters. This is now a common convention in crossword puzzles. Margaret Farrar initially rejected the puzzle with ten ampersands in it, calling it "trickery", but six months later decided to print it. The puzzle response was overwhelming, both evoking praise for originality, and anger from those who felt tricked. ), also a veteran crossword puzzle writer, was one of Gordon's closest friends. The two collaborated often and co-authored puzzles in multiple publications, winning a best puzzle award for their contribution to the Mega Crossword Puzzle Book from Simon & Schuster.

David Steinberg David Steinberg, who at 14 was the second youngest puzzle constructor to be printed in The New York Times, paired up with Gordon, then the oldest living Times constructor, on June 26, 2013, to create an age difference-themed puzzle. At the time the puzzle was published, Steinberg was 16, Gordon was 99. Will Shortz introduced Steinberg to Gordon initially. They collaborated remotely and exchanged more than 70 emails.

Awards and recognition As of 2013, she was the oldest living contributor to The New York Times, having had her most recent puzzle published at age 100 Lifetime achievement prize and annual constructor award named after her by Universal Crosswords editor Timothy Parker, 2000 Recognized as one of only a few constructors to contribute puzzles to The New York Times for over 50 years Best Puzzle Award for puzzle in Simon & Schuster's Mega Crossword Puzzle Book, co-authored with Norman Wizer Margaret Award for puzzle in Simon & Schuster's Series 217 $1000 annual prize in her name by Masterpuzzles for outstanding work appearing on computers The Rittenhouse Square Flower Market for Children's Charities recognized its 100th-year celebration with a joint birthday bash celebrating Gordon's 100th birthday in January 2014. Oldest living "New York Times" crossword constructor at age 95 Oldest living "New York Times" crossword constructor at age 96 Oldest living "New York Times" crossword constructor at age 97

Online puzzles Sept/Oct 2013. Pennsylvania Gazette, 2013 Puzzle by Bernice Gordon May 2013. Pennsylvania Gazette, 2013 Puzzle by Bernice Gordon Nov/Dec 2012. Pennsylvania Gazette, 2012 Puzzle by Bernice Gordon Jun 26, 2013, The New York Times, 2013 Puzzle by Bernice Gordon & David Steinberg Dec. 23, 1982 The Courier, 1982 Puzzle by Bernice Gordon "Simon & Schuster Mega Crossword Puzzle Book #8", 2010 Puzzle by Bernice Gordon and Norman Wizer