Harvard History | February 10, 2017

Harvard Magazine puzzle master retires

A longtime contributor hangs up his pencil.

From The March-April 2017 Issue

John de Cuevas

Long-time Harvard Magazine crossword-puzzle master John de Cuevas ’52 has hung up his pencil, explaining, “I turned 86 last October and in the last few years have experienced a slackening of mental and physical powers.” He continues to create puzzles for his website, “but the extra ones I was doing for Harvard are more than I can manage now.” We thank him for bringing pleasure to puzzle-doers for decades. His full notice appears at harvardmag.com/decuevas-17—complete with a reproduction of his devilish creation for the University’s 350th anniversary, from the September-October 1986 issue.

~ The Editors

Published in the March-April 2017 print issue under the headline “86 Across,” in the Letters section.

You might also like

Harvard Alumni Win Two 2026 Nobel Prizes

Karl Deisseroth revolutionized neuroscience. Navanethem “Navi” Pillay has adjudicated cases in international courts concerning genocide.

Collage of three photos of an athlete in a triathlon: one swimming, one cycling, one running, in sports attire.

Olympian Juliet Hochman Trains Athletes to Push Their Limits

The Harvard triathlete and coach says she helps normal people to “do extraordinary things.”

A man with a long beard and formal attire stands next to a chalkboard with an equation.

They Might Be (Harvard) Giants

Two tales of University greats—and an encounter with a Tiger

Most popular

Keri Russell gestures while speaking at a panel discussion in front of a blue backdrop.

Keri Russell Calls ‘The Diplomat’ a Love Letter to Public Servants

A Harvard Kennedy School event looks behind the scenes of the Netflix drama.

Two smiling individuals pose together outdoors, surrounded by autumn foliage and a stone sign.

Harvard Law School Announces $31.4 Million Donation

The school’s largest-ever gift comes after a year of record fundraising.

Ornate black iron gate arch with a nameplate, surrounded by green leaves and blue sky.

Harvard College Applications Surge 15 Percent

Of 1,648 students in the class of 2030, 39 percent will pay no tuition.

Explore More From Current Issue

A woman jogs on a path beside a boy riding a bicycle, surrounded by trees.

Health & Medicine

Why Harvard Medical School is training physicians to think more like coaches

St. Peter's Basilica at sunset, illuminated by purple and orange sky reflections in the river.

Alumni

For advocacy and benevolence, three late alumni are reportedly in line for the Catholic Church’s highest honor.

Delicate green cocoa pods and small white flowers on a tree branch, surrounded by soft greenery.

Research

Harvard researchers investigate climate’s impact on cocoa crops, innovations in nasal vaccines, and links between pain and skull marrow.