William F. Buckley Jr., R.I.P.(OBITUARY)(In memoriam)

OUR founder and inspiration died in his study on February 27.

If ever an institution has been the lengthened shadow of one man, this publication is his. So we hope not to be thought immodest for saying that Buckley has had a greater impact on the political life of this country--and a better one--than some of our presidents. He created modern conservatism as an intellectual movement and then a political one. 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; in his final years he remained 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 ...