In The News

Leading crossword setter Araucaria passes away

Leading crossword setter Araucaria passes away

THE leading crossword setter John Graham has passed away at the age of 92.

The Reverend Graham, whose puzzles appeared in The Guardian, used the pseudonym Araucaria — which is the Latin name for the monkey puzzle tree.

He had used one of his puzzles to reveal he was dying of cancer. When the puzzle appeared in the January 11 edition of the newspaper (see below), Mr. Graham had included special instructions, which stated: “Araucaria has 18 down of the 19, which is being treated with 13 15”. Those completing the clues discovered the answers were: cancer, oesophagus and palliative care.

Other clues produced the answers: Macmillan, nurse, stent, endoscopy and sunset.

At the time, Mr. Graham, who had been creating crosswords for more than 50 years, said using one of his puzzles to reveal his medical condition seemed the natural thing to do. He added he was very touched by the reaction of people to the news.

His final puzzle, which appeared in the Guardian on November 16 (see below), also included a number of clues from which fans were left in doubt that his death would was imminent with the answer to the clue for 18 down — “Warning not to outstay welcome I encountered in African country (4,2,2) — was time to go.

Other answers to clues included cottage hospital, nil by mouth and second wind.

To view the crossword in which Araucaria revealed news of his illness, click here.

To view Araucaria’s last crossword, click here.

To see an interview with the Reverend John Graham, which was recorded by The Guardian, click here.

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