John Galbraith Graham

John Galbraith Graham

John Galbraith Graham (2 April 1921 – 26 November 2013) was a British puzzle setter who was best known under the pseudonym Araucaria in The Guardian newspaper. Graham's work as a crossword compiler spanned over five decades, making him one of the most revered figures in the crossword community. His puzzles were celebrated for their wit, elegance, and the use of literary and scholarly clues that challenged and entertained solvers.

Early Life and Education

John Galbraith Graham was born in Oxford, England, and was educated at City of Oxford High School for Boys before going on to study at King's College, Cambridge, where he read Classics and Divinity. His academic background deeply influenced his crossword puzzles, which often included references to classical literature, mythology, and theology.

Career

Graham was ordained as a Church of England priest in 1948 and served in various parishes throughout his life. However, it was his avocation as a crossword compiler that made him a household name among puzzle enthusiasts. He began setting puzzles for The Guardian in 1958 under the pseudonym Araucaria, a name he chose after the monkey puzzle tree (Araucaria araucana), which is known for its intricate and challenging structure, much like his crosswords.

Graham's puzzles were notable for their inventive clues, which often included anagrams, homophones, and cryptic definitions. He was also known for his "themed" puzzles, where a number of clues and answers related to a particular subject or event. His Christmas puzzles, in particular, became an annual tradition for many solvers.

In addition to The Guardian, Graham also set puzzles for The Financial Times, under the pseudonym Cinephile, and for The Church Times and The Spectator under his own name. His work was widely admired for its creativity and intellectual challenge, earning him a loyal following and high regard in the crossword setting community.

Personal Life and Legacy

Graham was open about his personal life in a way that was rare for public figures of his time. In 2012, he made headlines when he announced in a set of crossword clues in The Guardian that he had been diagnosed with esophageal cancer. This unconventional way of sharing his diagnosis was seen as a testament to his unique relationship with his audience.

John Galbraith Graham passed away on 26 November 2013, leaving behind a legacy as one of the greatest crossword compilers of his generation. His contribution to the world of puzzles is remembered for elevating the art of the crossword puzzle and for the joy and intellectual stimulation his puzzles provided to solvers around the world.

See Also

• Crossword
• The Guardian
• Puzzle