Brendan Emmett Quigley

Brendan Emmett Quigley is an American crossword puzzle constructor and musician renowned for his contemporary, pop-culture-infused, and often edgy style. He is a prolific contributor to major publications like The New York Times, The American Values Club, and The Los Angeles Times, and maintains a popular independent puzzle blog. Quigley's work is celebrated for its fresh vocabulary, innovative themes, and influence on modernizing the crossword genre.

Early life and education

Born in 1976 in Boston, he grew up in the nearby suburb of Milton, Massachusetts. His early interest in wordplay was nurtured by solving puzzles from The Boston Globe and other newspapers. Quigley attended Milton Academy before enrolling at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where he studied English literature and graduated in 1998. During his college years, he also developed a passion for music, playing in various bands, which would later influence the cultural references in his puzzle construction.

Career

Quigley began constructing puzzles professionally in the late 1990s, selling his first puzzle to The New York Times in 1998, edited by Will Shortz. He quickly gained a reputation for his modern sensibility, contributing regularly to the Times crossword and becoming a staple for The American Values Club (later AVCX). He also created puzzles for The Los Angeles Times, The Wall Street Journal, and Newsday, and served as a puzzle editor for The Onion. A significant part of his career has been his long-running blog, where he self-publishes puzzles, fostering a direct connection with solvers and showcasing his most experimental work.

Crossword construction style

Quigley's construction style is defined by its embrace of contemporary slang, indie rock references, and internet culture. He frequently incorporates brand names like Reddit, TikTok, and Netflix, and utilizes abbreviations and pop culture figures from shows like The Simpsons and Arrested Development. His grids often feature lively, conversational fill and a willingness to use what some consider "cheater" squares (black squares) to enable more vibrant vocabulary. This approach, sometimes controversial among traditionalists, has been influential in attracting a younger audience to crosswords and has been emulated by a new generation of constructors.

Notable puzzles and themes

Among his most discussed puzzles is a 2008 New York Times puzzle with the theme "THATSWHATSHESAID," a risqué reference from the television series The Office. He created a puzzle for The American Values Club that paid homage to the band The Mountain Goats. Another notable theme involved the phrase "GO FUCK YOURSELF," cleverly clued and hidden for a puzzle in his own blog. Quigley also constructed a widely-solved puzzle for The Puzzle Society celebrating the video game Portal and has created numerous puzzles with meta-themes for the Indie 500 puzzle tournament.

Personal life

Quigley resides in the Boston area and is an active musician, playing guitar and singing in the indie rock band The Doubleclicks. His musical career often intersects with his puzzle work, with many puzzles featuring clues about bands and music theory. He is known in the puzzle community for his engaging presence at events like the American Crossword Puzzle Tournament and his insightful commentary on the craft of construction on social media platforms and podcasts. Category:American crossword puzzlers Category:1976 births Category:Living people Category:People from Boston Category:University of Massachusetts Amherst alumni