2004 Mightier Pen Award: William F. Buckley, Jr.

The Mightier Pen Award was presented on November 23, 2004 to William F. Buckley, Jr., a tireless defender of the principles of freedom and democracy and advocate of the philosophy of peace through strength.

Renowned essayist and author Norman Podhoretz introduced the guest of honor award during a luncheon at the 21 Club in New York by saying,

… Bill Buckley is one of the very best writers of English prose we have in America, or anywhere else the English language holds sway. It is a prose capable of manifold marvels–marvels of exposition, marvels of lyrical description, marvels of evocative portraiture, marvels of wicked humor and sly wit. Best of all, perhaps, are the marvels of devotional incantation. Here is one small sample, a particular favorite of mine:

… if there were nothing to complain about, there would be no post-Adamite mankind. But complaint is profanation in the absence of gratitude. There is much to complain about in America, but that awful keening noise one unhappily gets so used to makes no way for the bells, and these have rung for America, are still ringing for America, and for this we are obliged to be grateful. To be otherwise is wrong reason, and a poetical invitation to true national tribulation. I must remember to pray more often, because Providence has given us the means to make the struggle, and in this respect we are singularly blessed in this country, and in this room.

So indeed we are, in no small part thanks to William F. Buckley Jr.’s mighty pen, whose victories over the thousand swords that have leaped from their scabbards against him and his work it is our great honor to honor today.”

Over 100 people were in attendance at the luncheon – including former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, the 2003 Mightier Pen recipient, A.M. Rosenthal, writer Midge Decter – to salute one of the most influential thinkers and writers of our time.