National Review founder, conservative icon Bill Buckley honored on new U.S. Postal Service stamps
The U.S. Postal Service has recently introduced a new postage stamp featuring conservative figure William F. Buckley, Jr., the founder of the renowned conservative editorial magazine National Review. Buckley, a prominent voice in the modern conservative movement, established National Review in 1955 with a focus on publishing conservative commentary and analysis pertaining to politics, current events, and culture. The magazine continues to thrive today, producing 12 issues annually along with a daily news website.
The newly unveiled stamp showcases a graphite and charcoal portrait of Buckley, skillfully crafted by artist Dale Stephanos, according to the U.S. Postal Service. Historian George Nash once described Buckley as “arguably the most important public intellectual in the United States in the past half century” following Buckley’s passing in 2008. Nash lauded Buckley as the preeminent voice of American conservatism for an entire generation, highlighting his role as a unifying figure for various ideological branches within the conservative movement.
Aside from his founding of National Review, Buckley hosted the Emmy Award-winning television program “Firing Line” from 1966 to 1999. The show garnered recognition for its diverse lineup of guests, including notable figures such as former President Ronald Reagan, former UK Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, economist Friedrich Hayek, scholar Noam Chomsky, and liberal author Gore Vidal. Stanford University’s Hoover Institution noted that the success of “Firing Line” demonstrated the value of civilized debate between conflicting ideologies on television.
In addition to his media endeavors, Buckley authored numerous books, including the influential “God and Man at Yale: The Superstitions of ‘Academic Freedom’” published in 1951. This work critiqued Yale University’s secular academic environment, with Time magazine later recognizing it as one of the top 100 “best and most influential” books written in English since 1923.
New York Times columnist David Brooks reflected on Buckley’s legacy, emphasizing his talent for fostering friendships and leadership within the conservative movement. Brooks praised Buckley for transforming the personality of modern conservatism, establishing a national movement, and upholding the values of liberty within the context of a transcendent order.
The stamp honoring William F. Buckley, Jr. serves as a tribute to his enduring impact on American conservatism and intellectual discourse. As a trailblazer in conservative media and thought, Buckley’s legacy continues to resonate with audiences seeking thoughtful and principled commentary on pressing issues of the day.
