William F. Buckley, R.I.P.
William F. Buckley, man of letters and somewhat proud Yale alumnus, died Wednesday at the age of 82. Buckley was a towering figure in the conservative movement, and he was erudite, witty, and lovable — even if you didn’t share his worldview. As writer Joan Didion put it, "I was very fond of him… Everyone ...
William F. Buckley, man of letters and somewhat proud Yale alumnus, died Wednesday at the age of 82.
William F. Buckley, man of letters and somewhat proud Yale alumnus, died Wednesday at the age of 82.
Buckley was a towering figure in the conservative movement, and he was erudite, witty, and lovable — even if you didn’t share his worldview. As writer Joan Didion put it, "I was very fond of him… Everyone was, even if they didn’t agree with him." Perhaps the best tribute, then, is to watch Buckley himself in action. Here’s a retrospective put together by the Charlie Rose show last year:
You can also check out the reflections of staffers at the National Review, the magazine he founded in 1955.
(Hat tip: The Weekly Standard)
More from Foreign Policy

Can Russia Get Used to Being China’s Little Brother?
The power dynamic between Beijing and Moscow has switched dramatically.

Xi and Putin Have the Most Consequential Undeclared Alliance in the World
It’s become more important than Washington’s official alliances today.

It’s a New Great Game. Again.
Across Central Asia, Russia’s brand is tainted by Ukraine, China’s got challenges, and Washington senses another opening.

Iraqi Kurdistan’s House of Cards Is Collapsing
The region once seemed a bright spot in the disorder unleashed by U.S. regime change. Today, things look bleak.