PhotobucketWilliam F. Buckley, Jr., a staunch conservative who founded The National Review magazine, died today at age 82 of emphysema.

Buckley was known as one of the leading thinkers of the conservative movement. Though born in New York City, Buckley first attended school in Paris, and later attended high school in England. Buckley returned to America in 1943 and joined the United States navy in 1944.

With the conclusion of the war, Buckley enrolled in Yale University, where he joined the Skull and Bones society. Buckley was active in conservative politics on campus, and served as chair of the student-run newspaper.

Buckley served for a brief time in the CIA in the early 1950s, before becoming a writer. He wrote for The American Mercury before founding The National Review in 1955.

The magazine was a strongly conservative. It initially supported continuing segregation in the South and was a key supporter of the presidential campaign of Sen. Barry Goldwater, R-Ariz., in 1964. Over time, the magazine changed its stance on integration, but it remains a significant conservative voice to this day.

In 1965, Buckley ran for mayor of New York City, losing to John Lindsay. In 1973, Buckley served as a delegate to the United Nations.

Buckley edited The National Review until 1990 but continued to pen columns for the magazine. He also served as the host on PBS’ “Firing Line,” where he put an erudite spin on conservatism.

Buckley remained active in the conservative movement until his death. He was critical of the Bush administration’s invasion of Iraq, calling the action “anything but conservative.”

Buckley was preceded in death by his wife of 52 years, Patricia Buckley, and is survived by his son, author Christopher Buckley.