Margaret Farrar

Margaret Farrar was a pioneering American editor and author who established the modern standards for crossword puzzles. As the first crossword editor for The New York Times, a position she held from 1942 to 1969, she transformed the pastime into a respected intellectual pursuit with rules of symmetry, wit, and fair play. Her editorial leadership at The New York Times and her influential series of puzzle books cemented her reputation as the "first lady of crosswords," shaping the form for generations of solvers and constructors.

Early life and education

Born in New York City, she attended the Brearley School before enrolling at Smith College. Her academic pursuits were interrupted by World War I, during which she served with the American Red Cross in France. After the war, she returned to Smith College and graduated, subsequently taking a position at the fledgling newspaper The New York World. It was at The New York World, under the guidance of editor Franklin Pierce Adams, that she first encountered the novel crossword puzzle feature that had been introduced by Arthur Wynne.

Career in crossword editing

Farrar began her career at The New York World as a secretary but soon took over the editing of its crossword section. When The New York World ceased publication in 1931, she and colleague F. Gregory Hartswick compiled puzzles into a series of bestselling books for Simon & Schuster, launching the famed "Crossword Puzzle Book" series. In 1942, amid the Great Depression and World War II, the publisher of The New York Times, Arthur Hays Sulzberger, decided the newspaper needed a puzzle to boost morale, and he hired Farrar as its inaugural puzzle editor. She established a rigorous editorial standard, insisting on diagonal symmetry, rejecting obscure or archaic vocabulary, and championing clever, topical clues related to current events, literature, and history.

Influence on puzzle design

Farrar's influence fundamentally defined the American crossword puzzle. She codified the now-universal rule that puzzles must have 180-degree rotational symmetry. She advocated for themes that were entertaining and accessible, moving puzzles away from mere vocabulary tests toward witty, interconnected clues. This philosophy influenced subsequent editors like Will Weng and Eugene T. Maleska at The New York Times and set the benchmark for publications like The New Yorker and The Washington Post. Her mentorship nurtured early constructors such as Margaret Petherbridge and established the editor-constructor relationship as a collaborative creative process.

Personal life and legacy

In 1926, she married publisher John Farrar, a co-founder of the publishing house Farrar & Rinehart. They had three children and were part of the literary social scene in New York City and Martha's Vineyard. After retiring from The New York Times in 1969, she remained a respected figure in the puzzle community. Farrar received numerous accolades, including an honorary doctorate from Smith College. The American Crossword Puzzle Tournament, founded by Will Shortz, later dedicated its championship trophy in her honor. She passed away in Manhattan in 1984, leaving a legacy as the foundational architect of the modern crossword.

Published works

Farrar was the co-author and editor of the seminal "Crossword Puzzle Book" series published by Simon & Schuster, which began in 1924 and spanned dozens of volumes. These collections, often compiled with F. Gregory Hartswick and Prosper Buranelli, were instrumental in popularizing crosswords across the United States. She also edited the authoritative The New York Times Crossword Puzzle Dictionary. Her editorial work for The New York Times was collected in numerous volumes, cementing the newspaper's puzzle as the gold standard for enthusiasts worldwide.

Category:American crossword puzzle editors Category:1897 births Category:1984 deaths Category:Smith College alumni