NEW HAVEN, CT — Today, the Postal Service issued a commemorative stamp honoring William F. Buckley Jr. during a ceremony at Yale University.
“The Postal Service takes great pride in our stamps and the unique opportunity they offer to tell the story of America, and we believe William F. Buckley Jr. is deserving of this honor,” said Isaac Cronkhite, the organization’s chief processing and distribution officer and executive vice president. “As one of our most influential public intellectuals, a prolific author, a television host, and friend to many people across the political spectrum, Mr. Buckley was a fierce believer that Democracy is strengthened by engaging seriously with those who have different perspectives and ideas.”
Joining Cronkhite for the ceremony were Peter Robinson, an author and television host who served as master of ceremonies; Pericles Lewis, dean of Yale College; Lauren Noble, founder and executive director of the Buckley Institute; George Will, journalist; and Christopher Buckley, author and son of William F. Buckley Jr.
“My father earned many laurels over the course of his remarkable career, among them the Presidential Medal of Honor,” said Christopher Buckley. “He’d have been delighted, proud and — there’s no other way to put it — downright tickled by this splendid honor, on the centenary year of his birth.”
As the founder of National Review and host of the public television series “Firing Line,” Buckley shaped the conservative movement into a formidable political force. Known for his eloquence, wit and ability to unite different conservative voices, his influence ranged from mid-20th-century politics to the White House.
A major part of that influence came through National Review, a magazine that Buckley founded in 1955 to strengthen conservatism at a time when liberalism dominated U.S. politics. He united thinkers across the spectrum to shape a relevant, non-extremist ideology. The magazine’s mission was clear: to “stand athwart history, yelling Stop.” Buckley’s earlier books, “God and Man at Yale” (1951) and “McCarthy and His Enemies” (1954) had established his reputation, but National Review solidified him as the intellectual leader of modern conservatism. Within a decade, it became the nation’s most influential conservative publication.
Buckley expanded his reach beyond print by bringing his sharp intellect and humor to television with “Firing Line” in 1966. The show featured spirited conversations with guests from across the political spectrum, tackling divisive issues in a way that engaged conservative and liberal viewers alike. In 1969, “Firing Line” earned an Emmy Award.
As “Firing Line” popularized conservative thought, the movement gained political momentum. By the 1970s, conservatism was influencing public policy, with Ronald Reagan adopting many of Buckley’s ideas as governor of California and later as president. Throughout this time, Buckley remained a trusted adviser, further shaping the mainstream conservative agenda.
Buckley retired from National Review in 1990 and was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1991. He continued writing, publishing more than 50 books in his lifetime. Today, National Review carries on Buckley’s legacy, shaping conservative thought for new generations. The original “Firing Line” ended in 1999, but continues its tradition of thoughtful debate with a relaunch on PBS in 2018.
Greg Breeding, an art director for USPS, designed the stamp with original art by Dale Stephanos.
Customers can order the William F. Buckley Jr. stamps on usps.com.
The stamps are issued in a pane of 20 and are Forever stamps, meaning they will always be equal in value to the current First-Class Mail 1-ounce price. News of the stamp is being shared with the hashtag #WilliamFBuckleyStamp.
