William F. Buckley, Jr., R.I.P.

National Review Online ^ | February 27, 2008 | the Editors

[Delacon]

Our revered founder, William F. Buckley Jr., died in his study this morning.

If ever an institution were the lengthened shadow of one man, this publication is his. So we hope it will not be thought immodest for us to say that Buckley has had more of an impact on the political life of this country — and a better one — than some of our presidents. He created modern conservatism as an intellectual and then a political movement. He kept it from drifting into the fever swamps. And he gave it a wit, style, and intelligence that earned the respect and friendship even of his adversaries. (To know Buckley was to be reminded that certain people have a talent for friendship.)

He inspired and incited three generations of conservatives, and counting. He retained his intellectual and literary vitality to the end; even in his final years he was capable of the arresting formulation, the unpredictable insight. He presided over NR even in his “retirement,” which was more active than most people’s careers. It has been said that great men are rarely good men. Even more rarely are they sweet and merry, as Buckley was.

When Buckley started National Review — in 1955, at the age of 29 — it was not at all obvious that anti-Communists, traditionalists, constitutionalists, and enthusiasts for free markets would all be able to take shelter under the same tent. Nor was it obvious that all of these groups, even gathered together, would be able to prevail over what seemed at the time to be an inexorable collectivist tide. When Buckley wrote that the magazine would “stand athwart history yelling, ‘Stop!’” his point was to challenge the idea that history, with a capital H, pointed left. Mounting that challenge was the first step toward changing history’s direction. Which would come in due course.

Before he was a conservative, Buckley was devoted to his family and his Church. He is survived by his son Christopher and brothers Reid and James and sisters Priscilla, Carol, and Patricia. Our sadness for them, and for us, at his passing is leavened by the hope that he is now with his beloved wife, Patricia, who died last year.

[Dajjal]

Requiem aeternam dona ei, Domine, et lux perpetua luceat ei. Requiescat in pace. Amen.

Anima eius, et animæ omnium fidelium defunctorum, per misericordiam Dei, requiescant in pace. Amen.

[Delacon]

Translation for the prods who loved him?

[Dajjal]

Translation for the prods who loved him?

Requiem aeternam dona ei, Domine, et lux perpetua luceat ei. Requiescat in pace. Amen.
"Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace. Amen."

Anima eius, et animæ omnium fidelium defunctorum, per misericordiam Dei, requiescant in pace. Amen.
"May his soul, and and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen."

[BellStar]

"Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace.
Amen."

Always loved that!

Took the boat out and raised an adult beverage to Mr. Buckley today. Sailed over to our favorite waterfront Italian Restaurant. Went with a friend, fellow Conservative and yachtsman. Bill Buckley loved yachting! Mr. Buckley would have approved of our day of celebration of his life and for his great talent, a true gift to all who call their selves conservatives. Voted early here in Texas today too.

[who_would_fardels_bear]

I recently saw an "interview" of Buckley by that PBS hack Charlie Rose.

Buckley had so many wonderful things to say ... I have to imagine ... because Rose would never give him a chance to complete his thoughts.

Rose seemed like a callous bully just jabbing away with lightweight questions.

Despite all of this Buckley's intelligence and wit still shined out.

[RobbyS]

He’s been fading for some time. On an appearance on the “Charlie Rose Show.” Charlie sometimes had to put words into his mouth. That’s why I like Charlie despite his liberalism: he is a nice man.

[RobbyS]

I admire Newt: just wish he had Buckley’s character.

[Tex_GOP_Cruz]

I was just going to post precisely that about him. It just seems right. William F. Buckley Jr. was a man of both substance and style, a pioneer for conservatism, an inspiring writer, a man of faith. A polymath, but most importantly a good man. Domine, dona ei requiem.

[Lucius Cornelius Sulla]

anti-communist bent

Bad as things are in the GOP, I haven't seen much evidence of pro-Communist Republicans these days.

[Jet Jaguar]

Good post.

And a good tribute to a great thinker.

[Delacon]

TY. I didn’t even know about the Catholic intellectual tradition that goes so well with American conservatism until, as a young man, I was exposed to Mr. Buckley and National Review.

[Paul Ross]

Bad as things are in the GOP, I haven't seen much evidence of pro-Communist Republicans these days.

You need to open your eyes.

[miked98]

It's not spelled economium, it's encomium. I made the same mistake and happened up on this page. Definition is "a formal expression of praise, esp. an elaborate eulogy; laudation."

[ThePythonicCow]

Thanks for the clarification.

Google is scary ;).