William F. Buckley Jr.: The Pioneer Who Shaped Conservative Media and Politics

In an era dominated by figures like Steve Bannon and the enigmatic Bronze Age Pervert, whose writings resonate with a younger generation of Trump supporters, a biography of William F. Buckley Jr. might seem a relic of a different time. Since his passing in 2008, Buckley, the aristocratic founder of National Review, has often been remembered with a sense of nostalgia.

As the Trump presidency unfolded, many believed Buckley might have opposed such developments, even though National Review’s famous 2016 issue opposing Trump failed to halt the momentum of the MAGA movement. In an age lacking traditional gatekeepers, Buckley was seen as a figure who once filtered out extremists, conspiracy theorists, and anti-Semites, crafting the foundations of a respectable conservative movement.

Sam Tanenhaus’s comprehensive authorized biography reflects some of this wistfulness, yet offers a nuanced portrayal that challenges the idealized memory of Buckley. The author concludes with a reflective tone, imagining Buckley as a figure somewhat removed from today’s world but still present in its periphery. The extensive 1,000-page work reveals Buckley not as an anachronism but as a forerunner to contemporary political dynamics. His rise began with the provocative 1951 book, "God and Man at Yale," which criticized his alma mater as a bastion of left-wing ideology and urged alumni to withhold donations to prompt change.

Tanenhaus subtly argues for Buckley’s enduring importance, identifying him as the first to blend intellectual rigor with entertainment in conservative politics. From a young age, Buckley recognized that politics was evolving into a form of spectacle and actively shaped this transformation. Beyond his magazine work, he expanded his influence into television, authored spy novels, and even made a theatrical bid for New York City mayor, all while cultivating relationships with prominent political leaders. Buckley was more than a journalist; he was a committed activist who understood the critical role of media and public attention in advancing his political agenda, leaving a lasting imprint on American political culture.

The biography details Buckley’s privileged upbringing, shaped by his father’s experiences as an oil speculator involved in counterrevolutionary activities in Mexico before being expelled in 1920. The elder Buckley meticulously recreated a colonial Mexican aesthetic at their Connecticut estate, Great Elm. Although Buckley later claimed to have been raised in Mexico, his childhood was spent in this elaborate environment alongside nine siblings, speaking Spanish, English, French, and even a family-created polyglot, all supported by a retinue of tutors, nannies, and household staff.