William F. Buckley, Jr.

William Frank Buckley Jr. (born November 24, 1925), an American author and journalist, founded National Review, a prominent conservative political magazine, in 1955, and the award-winning television show Firing Line in 1966. He often is credited as the godfather of modern American conservatism.

Career

In 1951, the same year he was recruited into the CIA, Buckley's first book, God and Man at Yale, was published. The book was a critique of Yale University, in which he claimed that the school had strayed from its original, Christian mission. He then worked as an editor for The American Mercury in 1951 and 1952 before founding National Review in 1955, which he edited for many years. In 1960 Buckley helped form Young Americans for Freedom. Five years later in 1965, he ran for mayor of New York City as the candidate for the newly formed Conservative Party because of his dissatisfaction with Republican candidate John Lindsay. He finished third with 13 percent of the vote. In 1973, he served as a delegate to the United Nations.

Related Topics:
1951 - God and Man at Yale - Christian - The American Mercury - 1952 - 1955 - 1960 - Young Americans for Freedom - 1965 - Mayor of New York City - Conservative Party - Republican - John Lindsay - 1973 - United Nations

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Buckley is a nationally syndicated newspaper columnist whose work appears in more than 300 newspapers, and author of numerous books both fiction and non-fiction. His writing style is characterized by his strict adherence to correct grammar, strong opinion, and use of uncommon words such as "eschatological". His views have changed on some issues, such as drug legalization.

Related Topics:
Grammar - Eschatological - Drug legalization

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Buckley is the author of a series of novels using the character of CIA agent Blackford Oakes. He has also authored several books on communicating, history, political thought, and sailing.

Related Topics:
CIA - Blackford Oakes - Sailing

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In 1981, Buckley informed President-elect (and personal friend) Ronald Reagan that he did not want any official position in his administration. Reagan replied that was too bad, because he had wanted to make Buckley Ambassador to (then Soviet-occupied) Afghanistan. Buckley replied that he was willing to take the job, but only if he were to be supplied with ten divisions of "bodyguards."

Related Topics:
Ronald Reagan - Soviet - Afghanistan

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Buckley participated in a debate following the airing of The Day After, a 1983 made-for-TV movie about the effects of nuclear war. Buckley has consistently defended the strategy of nuclear deterrence.

Related Topics:
The Day After - Nuclear deterrence

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In 1991, Buckley received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President George H. W. Bush.

Related Topics:
1991 - Presidential Medal of Freedom - President - George H. W. Bush

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In June of 2004, Buckley relinquished his controlling shares of National Review to a pre-selected board of trustees. The following month, Miles Gone By; a memoir of his life, career, and love of sailing was published.

Related Topics:
June - 2004

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Buckley continues to write his syndicated newspaper column, as well as opinion pieces for National Review (the bi-weekly magazine) and National Review Online (the popular daily web version of the magazine known widely as NRO). He also lectures, grants the occasional radio interview, and makes guest appearances on national television news programs.

Related Topics:
National Review - National Review Online

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