A Life on the Right: William F. Buckley
The Commentator Talks about Leaving the 'National Review'
From 1999: Buckley Talks to 'On the Media' about the end of his TV Program 'Firing Line'
William F. Buckley Time Warner Books hide caption
From 1989: Buckley on 'Fresh Air'
William F. Buckley in 1979. CORBIS hide caption
The man often called the father of American conservatism is passing the torch. As he does, he stops to reflect on his life and a half-century spent in the political spotlight.
In addition to founding National Review magazine -- he is currently listed as its editor at large -- Buckley hosted the PBS program Firing Line from 1965-1999 and penned his syndicated column On the Right. He also wrote many well-received fiction and non-fiction books.
Buckley joins NPR's Lynn Neary and takes callers' questions about his life and legacy, which he writes about in his new autobiography Miles Gone By.
A Buckley Timeline:
• 1951: Publishes God and Man at Yale
• 1955: Buckley founds National Review
• 1962: "On the Right" column syndicated
• 1965: Runs for New York City mayor and receives 13.4 percent of the vote
• 1966: Serves as host of the weekly political TV program Firing Line
• 1980: Wins American Book Award for Best Mystery for Stained Glass
• 1991: Awarded Presidential Medal of Freedom
Sources: National Review, Encyclopædia BritannicaGuests:
William F Buckley, syndicated columnist and founder of National Review magazine. Author of Miles Gone By: A Literary Autobiography
Tucker Carlson, co-host of CNN's Crossfire and host of the new PBS program, Unfiltered