Will Weng
American crossword puzzle constructor
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
William C. "Will" Weng (February 25, 1907 – May 2, 1993) was an American journalist and crossword puzzle constructor who was the crossword puzzle editor for The New York Times from 1969 to 1977.[1]
Will Weng | |
|---|---|
Weng c. 1974 | |
| Born | February 25, 1907 Terre Haute, Indiana, U.S. |
| Died | May 2, 1993 (aged 86) New York City, U.S. |
| Alma mater | Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism Indiana State University |
| Occupation | Crossword puzzle editor |
| Employer | The New York Times |
| Predecessor | Margaret Farrar |
| Successor | Eugene T. Maleska |
Born in Terre Haute, Indiana, he attended Indiana State Teachers College. He moved to New York City in 1927. He received a master's degree from the Columbia University School of Journalism and joined the Times in 1930 as a reporter. He was a lieutenant commander in the United States Navy during World War II.[2]
Weng occasionally assisted the New York Times puzzle editor, Margaret Farrar, and published his first crossword in the newspaper in 1963.[1] He succeeded Farrar as crossword editor in early 1969 and was himself succeeded by Eugene T. Maleska when he retired on his 70th birthday in 1977.[1][2] After leaving the New York Times he became the editor for a start-up crossword puzzle venue called The Crosswords Club, preparing five Sunday-size crosswords every month for distribution to subscribers.
Weng died of throat cancer in Manhattan.[1][2]
