William F. Buckley, Jr. (1925-2008) was an American [conservative](https://doctorparadox.net/mental-self-defense/the-conservative-mind/) writer, commentator, and political activist who played a major role in shaping the conservative movement in the United States during the mid-20th century. Born in New York City, Buckley grew up in a wealthy and influential family and attended Yale University, where he was a member of the secret society Skull and Bones. After serving in the U.S. Army during World War II (see: [[World War II Timeline]]), he worked briefly in the oil industry before embarking on a career in journalism and writing. ## God and Man at Yale Buckley's first book, "God and Man at Yale" (1951), was a critique of what he saw as the liberal bias of his alma mater and helped to establish him as a leading voice of the conservative movement. He went on to write dozens of books on politics, history, and culture, and founded the influential conservative magazine National Review in 1955, which he edited for over 30 years. ## Firing Line As a commentator, Buckley was known for his wit, intelligence, and forceful style. He hosted the television program "Firing Line" for over 30 years, where he engaged in lively debates with guests from across the political spectrum. He also wrote a syndicated newspaper column and was a frequent guest on radio and television programs. In addition to his writing and commentary, Buckley was active in conservative politics and was a key figure in the rise of the conservative movement in the 1950s and 1960s. He ran for mayor of New York City in 1965 on the Conservative Party ticket but was ultimately defeated by the incumbent Democrat, John Lindsay. Throughout his career, Buckley remained a staunch defender of conservative principles, including limited government, free markets, and [traditional values](https://doctorparadox.net/dictionaries/authoritarianism/strict-father-morality/). He was known for his opposition to [[Communism]], his support for the [[Vietnam War]], and his skepticism of the [[civil rights]] movement.