The end of a Harvard Magazine tradition

John de Cuevas ’52 will no longer contribute crossword puzzles to Harvard Magazine.

John de Cuevas ’52, who has for decades contributed original crossword puzzles to Harvard Magazine’s print and online editions, has announced that he will no longer produce new puzzles for the series. In an email, he wrote: 

Several readers have asked me why my puzzles no longer appear on the Harvard Magazine website. I answer, because I’m no longer up to speed. I turned 86 last October and in the last few years have experienced a slackening of mental and physical powers. I’m still putting puzzles on my website, www.puzzlecrypt.com, one every month, twelve a year, but the extra ones I was doing for Harvard are more than I can manage now. I’m sorry about that, but it’s out of my reach.

Thanks to all who asked about the puzzles and to the editors of Harvard Magazine for providing me an outlet for them these many years.

The magazine thanks de Cuevas for his many years of service and creativity. Below, find a puzzle he created for the magazine’s September-October 1986 issue, in celebration of Harvard’s 350th anniversary. 


Click image to enlarge. 
Courtesy of Harvard Magazine
Related topics

You might also like

Harvard Magazine March-April 2024 Scavenger Hunt

March-April 2024 Print Issue Scavenger Hunt

Using puzzles to teach physics

In his freshman seminar, Cumrun Vafa uses puzzles to help students understand complex physics.

Paolo Pasco and the art of making crosswords

Paolo Pasco and the art of making crosswords

Most popular

Harvard Professor Michael Sandel Wins Philosophy’s Berggruen Prize

The creator of the popular ‘Justice’ course receives a $1 million award.

The Irresistible Allison Feaster

A basketball star's journey from the Harvard hardwood to the Celtics front office

Martin Nowak Placed on Leave a Second Time

Further links to Jeffrey Epstein surface in newly released files

Explore More From Current Issue

Purple violet flower with vibrant petals surrounded by green foliage.

Bees and Flowers Are Falling Out of Sync

Scientists are revisiting an old way of thinking about extinction.

Four Labrador puppies—two black and two yellow—sitting in green grass.

What Do Puppies Know?

Canine capabilities emerge early and continue into adulthood.

A diverse group of individuals standing on stage, wearing matching shirts and smiling.

How a Harvard and Lesley Group Broke Choir Singing Wide Open

Cambridge Common Voices draws on principles of universal design.