William F. Buckley, one of America’s greatest public intellectuals and the founder of National Review, has died at his home in Connecticut. In 1955, when Buckley founded National Review there was virtually no conservative intellectual movement in America. Conservatism was an ideology that was adrift from its own ideological moorings. Buckley, along with Russell Kirk and others, helped turn conservatism into a vibrant part of America’s intellectual heritage once more.
Mr. Buckley achieved great things personally, but the movement he helped found has transformed America for the better. He was not only a best-selling author of both fiction and non-fiction, a successful television personality, and an American icon; he was also a leader for a movement that helped win the Cold War, reform welfare and enact policies that have immeasurably strengthened this country. Those achievements would have been at the very last far more difficult without the brave leadership and constant intellectual prodding of William F. Buckley.
R.I.P.
The editors of National Review have a brief statement on Mr. Buckley’s passing. At The Corner, there are plenty of remembrances of Buckley’s voluminous legacy.