[3] Often published under the pseudonym Hex, Cox and Rathvon are considered pioneers of the American cryptic crossword and remain among the form's greatest exponents.
[4][5][6] Their first efforts were inspired by attempts to follow in the footsteps of Stephen Sondheim and Richard Maltby, Jr. at New York magazine.
In 2007, they created an elaborate marriage proposal for two aficionados of the Sunday Boston Globe Magazine crossword.
Intending to propose, and hoping for a great surprise, Aric approached Doug Most, the editor of the Globe Magazine, and through him, Cox and Rathvon, soliciting a special crossword.
"[9][10] In 2005, Rathvon's play Trapezium, a comedy in iambic pentameter, was produced by the Orlando-UCF Shakespeare Festival.
[12] From a young age, Emily showed interest in playing trombone, painting suspension bridges,[13] reading about science matters, and rock climbing.