"Idealism is fine; but as it approaches reality, the cost becomes prohibitive."

On the website of THE NATIONAL REVIEW, William F. Buckley's 1955-founded conservative magazine, there's a feature called "Bill Buckley's Word of the Day." The word for today is "Punctilio," defined as The concern for form, manners, appearance. It's a word that seems extremely appropriate and applicable in this context.

Born in New York City in 1925 to William Frank Buckley, a lawyer, and Aloise Buckley, William Frank Buckley, Jr. has nine brothers and sisters. Buckley's grandfather had made a fortune in oil, and the boy was reared in very comfortable circumstances with private tutors, English boarding school and prep school in the US. After a year at the University of Mexico, Buckley served three years in the US Army during World War II before entering Yale University, graduating in 1946. In 1965, Buckley ran unsuccessfully as a Conservative Party candidate for mayor of New York City. He worked for the United States Information Agency (USIA) Advisory Commission from 1969 to 1972, and was the United States delegate to the United Nations General Assembly.

Buckley founded the NATIONAL REVIEW in 1955 and served as its editor-in-chief until 1990, honing the publication into the country's leading forum for conservative views. He began a nationally-syndicated newspaper column, "On the Right," in 1962, and a weekly television interview and commentary show, "The Firing Line," in 1966.

He has received over 35 honorary degrees, and awards ranging from the Emmy to the American Book Award to the Distinguished Achievement Award in Journalism. In 1991 he was the recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Author of nearly 40 books, Buckley is known for a keen wit, a fascination with words and language, and a languid, patrician manner. His literary topics include sailing, words and language, political analysis and commentary, and mystery/espionage novels.