Former U.S. Senator James L. Buckley Dead

James L. Buckley, once a senator from New York and a judge on the U.S. Appeals Court for the District of Columbia Circuit, passed away on Friday at the age of 100.

In addition to his long and varied career in public service, Buckley was known as the older brother of National Review founded and influential conservative intellectual William F. Buckley Jr. James’ contributions to the conservative movement were manifold, including service in the Reagan administration and appointment to the U.S. appeals court by none other than President Ronald Reagan himself.

The end came for the former judge in a Washington hospital last Friday. His later years were spent in the great state of Maryland where he celebrated his centennial this past March.

In a political career marked by conviction, Buckley secured a senatorial term from New York in 1970, representing the Conservative Party. Yet, in a twist of political fate, he couldn’t clinch a reelection in 1976 under the Republican Party’s banner, conceding defeat to Democrat Daniel Patrick Moynihan. His political journey didn’t end there. He embraced various roles in the Reagan administration, including the presidency of Radio Free Europe, and subsequently earned his judicial appointment.

His tenure as a judge on the federal appeals court spanned over a decade, culminating in his move to a senior judge position on the circuit in 1996.

Utah Sen. Mike Lee addressed the Senate last March for the occasion of Buckley’s birthday, praising the elder Buckley sibling as a “hero” in American public life.

“On the occasion of his 100th birthday, I had the honor of addressing the Senate floor, recognizing the former senator as a true ‘hero,’ not just within these walls but across the nation,” Lee said. “My interactions with James Buckley have illuminated the reasons behind his enduring legacy. A few years ago, I had the privilege of inviting him to address the Senate Republican Conference during our steering lunch. His insights, as always, were timely, relevant, and delivered with unmatched enthusiasm.”