Raymond Smullyan

[Bill Mullins]

Raymond Smullyan, age 97, died on 6 Feb. He was mostly known as a logician and wrote several books of logic puzzles, but in his youth he was an amateur magician, and later performed professionally in Greenwich Village. He may have been the last living link to the NY magic scene of the 1940s.

He was a friend of Martin Gardner and often was mentioned in his columns in Scientific American, and in his books. He was a regular attendee at the Gatherings for Gardner until his health prevented him from coming. He was easy to spot, very tall with long white hair (he could have played Gandalf in The Lord of the Rings movies), and he would often be seen flirting with girls decades younger than he was, or playing the piano in the lobby (he was very good). Here he is on the Tonight Show, from 1982.

[Matthew Field]

I am saddened to hear this news. I was a great admirer of Raymond Smullyan. His puzzle books provided me with a great deal of pleasure. His insights into what make logic and chess puzzles entertaining was nonpareil.

He will be greatly missed.

Matt Field

[erdnasephile]

He taught me logic as a child when I thought I was just enjoying reading funny stories. I still have "What is the name of this book?" sitting on my bookshelf.

[Bill Mullins]

New York Times obit. And some puzzles from Smullyan.

[Pete McCabe]

Smullyan's books were an important part of my formative years. It sure sounds like he had a wonderful life.

[Bill Mullins]

Gathering for Gardner has a tribute page for Smullyan.