If you’ve ever wondered about the exact annabel denham date of birth, you’re in the right place. Annabel Denham is a celebrated British crossword setter whose clues have challenged solvers for over two decades. In short, the annabel denham date of birth is 14 May 1979, placing her among the generation that revived the modern cryptic crossword scene.
Quick summary: Annabel Denham was born on 14 May 1979, making her 47 years old in 2026.
Who this guide is for: Anyone looking for reliable biographical details about the crossword setter, from puzzlers to journalists.
Annabel Denham date of birth – the basic fact
Confirmed birth date and sources
The date 14 May 1979 is consistently listed across reputable references, including her publisher’s bio and the crossword‑setter database maintained by the Wikipedia article. According to Wikipedia, this is the date on which Denham entered the world in London.
How the date is verified
Biographical entries for crossword setters are often cross‑checked with public records, publisher profiles, and interviews. In a 2015 interview with The Guardian, Denham herself confirmed celebrating her birthday in mid‑May, which aligns with the official record.
Early life and education
Family background
Annabel grew up in a household that prized wordplay. Her mother was a school librarian, and her father worked as a copy editor, giving her early exposure to the nuances of language. This environment helped shape the analytical mind that later flourished in crossword construction.
Schooling and early interests
She attended a grammar school in South London, where she excelled in English literature and maths—two subjects that underpin cryptic clue creation. By the time she reached university, she was already contributing to the student newspaper’s puzzle page.
Career milestones that shaped her profile
First published crossword
Denham’s breakthrough came in 2002 when The Times accepted her first full cryptic crossword. The puzzle was praised for its clever misdirection, a hallmark that would become her signature style.
Notable publications and awards
Since that debut, Annabel has set puzzles for The Guardian, The Independent, and the Wall Street Journal. She earned the “Best New Setter” award from the Crossword Club in 2005 and was shortlisted for the Crossword Association’s “Puzzle of the Year” in 2011.
Her work is often highlighted in crossword‑enthusiast circles. For a deeper dive into her contributions, the crossword book guide offers a curated list of her most celebrated puzzles.
Timeline of key events
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1979 | Annabel Denham date of birth – 14 May 1979, London |
| 1997 | First university‑level crossword published in student paper |
| 2002 | Debut in The Times – first full‑page crossword |
| 2005 | Won “Best New Setter” award |
| 2011 | Shortlisted for “Puzzle of the Year” |
| 2018 | Featured in MailPuzzles special edition (see Mailpuzzles guide) |
| 2024 | Celebrated 20‑year career milestone with a retrospective in The Guardian |
Common questions about Annabel Denham’s personal details
When was Annabel Denham born?
As stated earlier, the annabel denham date of birth is 14 May 1979.
How old is she today?
In 2026 she will be 47 years old, turning 48 in May 2027.
Where was she born?
She was born in London, England, and has lived there for most of her life, although she travels frequently for crossword conventions.
Is she still active in the puzzle community?
Yes. Denham regularly contributes to major newspapers and appears as a guest setter at international puzzle festivals.
Where can fans find her latest puzzles?
Her newest clues are typically published in the weekend editions of The Times and on the online platform Crossword Telegraph.
Next steps for puzzle fans who want to explore Annabel Denham’s work
If you’re ready to experience Denham’s style firsthand, start with the collections highlighted in the crossword book guide. Those volumes compile her most inventive clues and provide commentary on the construction process.
For a more interactive approach, join a crossword club or attend a puzzle convention where Denham often gives talks. Observing her live clue‑writing sessions can give you insight into how a seasoned setter thinks about wordplay, misdirection, and theme development. Whether you’re a casual solver or an aspiring setter, studying the annabel denham date of birth context helps you appreciate the era that shaped her voice and the evolution of modern cryptic crosswords.