Conservative journalist and commentator1925 – 2008
Conservative Herald
William F. Buckley distinguished himself as a writer and television host. His eloquence and persuasive style of argument made him into one of the icons of the modern conservative movement and an inspiration to American politicians like Barry Goldwater and Ronald Reagan.Bettmann / Corbis
The United Nations
Buckley's last post in government was at the United Nations, where he served as a delegate in 1973.Bettmann / Corbis
Confidante to a President
The height of Buckley's influence came with the election of his good friend Ronald Reagan to the Presidency. In this 1983 photo, the two of them enjoy a light moment at a reception for The National Review.Bettmann / Corbis
Prolific
The author sits behind the desk at his home office. If Buckley's 5,600 biweekly newspaper columns, "On the Right," were collected in one place, they would fill 45 medium-sized volumes. He is the author of at least 50 books.Suzy Allman / New York Times / Redux
Firing Line
Of his fellow Conservative, William Kristol said, "For people of my generation, Bill Buckley was pretty much the first intelligent, witty, well-educated conservative one saw on television." Buckley served as host for the PBS show from 1966 to 1999. He was 82.Andre Lambertson
First Writings
After graduating from Yale University and while serving briefly in the CIA, Buckley published God and Man at Yale, a scathing critique of his alma mater, which argued that the prestigious university had strayed from its original educational mission.Bettmann / Corbis
A New Conservative Voice
In 1955, Buckley founded The National Review, a journal that gave rise to a new ideology fusing traditional conservatism and libertarianism.Sam Falk / New York Times / Redux
Young Americans for Freedom
The success of The National Review propelled Buckley to the heights of the Conservative movement. In 1960, he helped found a new conservative group that welded together free-market economics with respect for traditional values, an orderly society and anti-communism.(c) Bill Eppridge
Mayoral Run
In 1965, Buckley entered the race for mayor of New York as a candidate of the Conservative Party, because he was not satisfied with the Republican candidate John Lindsay, who stands at right in this photo, taken before a radio debate with Buckley and the third candidate Abraham Beame (to Buckley's left). Buckley lost the race to Lindsay, polling 13% of the vote.Truman Moore / Time Life Pictures / Getty
High Society
Buckley and his wife Patricia were friends to New York's intellectual elite, and guests at events like Truman Capote's Black and White Ball in 1966 (above).David Pickoff / AP
Family Reunion
In 1970, Life Magazine sent famed photographer Alfred Eisenstaedt to document a weekend at the Buckley estate in Sharon, Connecticut. Buckley was one of ten children. His father earned his fortune in the oil business.Alfred Eisenstaedt / Time Life Pictures / Getty
Man’s Best Friend
Buckley gets some attention from one of the family dogs.Alfred Eisenstaedt / Time Life Pictures / Getty
In Washington
Richard Nixon appointed Buckley to the U.S. Advisory Committee on Information, where he served from 1969 to 1972.Bettmann / Corbis
