Sunday, April 7, 2024 at 11 p.m. on KPBS 2 / PBS App + Encores Monday, April 8 at 10 p.m. on KPBS TV and Wednesday, April 10 at 8 p.m. on KPBS 2
"The Incomparable Mr. Buckley" follows the personal and political journey of conservative writer, strategist, candidate and provocateur William F. Buckley, Jr. See how one of the architects of the modern conservative movement rose to prominence as a public intellectual and influenced generations of politicians — including Ronald Reagan and Barry Goldwater.
Watch the first ten minutes of "The Incomparable Mr. Buckley" in this sneak preview. Discover how political commentator William F. Buckley, Jr. galvanized the modern conservative movement. The preeminent public intellectual grew up on a sprawling estate in Sharon, Connecticut, where his father's own idea of pedagogy had a lasting impact on his future ideals.
Related: View the William F. Buckley, Jr. biography and career timeline
In an effort to drive votes away from "liberal Republican" John Lindsay, William F. Buckley, Jr. ran for mayor of New York City under the Conservative Party. The columnist Pete Hamill said of Buckley at the time, "This is the first person we've ever seen in politics with a genuinely original mind."
William F. Buckley, Jr. was tapped to speak at the Alumni Day Speech at Yale University in 1950. However, Yale administration feared his outspoken criticism of the university and asked Buckley to pare back his speech. Buckley refused and later wrote a book about his experiences at the school.
William F. Buckley, Jr. and his wife Patricia had a brazen, but loving relationship. The two "annoyed each other intensely and absolutely adored each other." They held grand parties at their home with many distinguished guests.
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