James L. Buckley Biography

(Former United States Senator)

Birthday: March 9, 1923 (Pisces)

Born In: New York City, New York, U.S.

A distinguished politician and a former judge, James Lane Buckley is a former United States Senator from the state of New York, representing the Conservative Party. As a senator, he initiated several reforms which were widely appreciated by the Congress as well as the public. As a lawyer, he debated in the Supreme Court to regulate the campaign expenditures in Congressional races and helped to "shape modern campaign-finance law", which is considered one of his major accomplishments. He has written a number of books which provide an insight into several issues which politicians need to focus on for the betterment of the society. His influence in the political arena has been widely recognized and he is the only nominee of the Conservative Party of New York to have been elected in the U.S. Congress. James belongs to an immensely influential family. His brother William F. Buckley Jr., was a prominent politician and founder of the magazine ‘National Review’.
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Quick Facts

Also Known As: James Lane Buckley

Family:

Spouse/Ex-: Ann Cooley Buckley

father: William Frank Buckley Sr.

mother: Aloise Josephine Antonia

siblings: Patricia Buckley Bozell, William F. Buckley Jr.

Philanthropists Political Leaders

political ideology: Conservative Party(Before 1976), Republican Party (1976–present)

City: New York City

U.S. State: New Yorkers

More Facts

education: Yale University, Yale Law School

Childhood & Early Life
James L. Buckley was born to William Frank Buckley, Sr., and Aloise Josephine Antonia. His father was a prominent lawyer and businessman who played a leading role in the Mexican politics during the reign of President Victoriano Huerta. He was the fifth child of the ten children born to his parents.
He was enlisted in the United States Navy in 1942 and was discharged from the navy with the rank of lieutenant in 1946.
After getting his law degree from Yale Law School, he joined the Connecticut bar in 1950 and practiced law until 1953.
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Career
In 1957, he joined ‘The Catawba Corporation’ as their vice-president, a position he held till 1970. The same year he represented the Conservative Party for the U.S. Senate.
He defeated the Republican Charles Goodell and the Democratic nominee Richard Ottinger and was elected as the Senator from New York in 1971.
In 1976 he lost the re-election and in 1980 he received a nomination once again but he lost this time as well.
Under the presidency of Ronald Reagan, he first served as the undersecretary of United States Department of State, before becoming the President of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, a broadcaster aided by the U.S. Congress.
In 1985, he was appointed to the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit and in 1996, he became a senior judge in the Court.
Major Works
In 1974, he introduced the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act which administers the education records of students.
He also authored a few books including ‘If Men Were Angels: A View From the Senate’, ‘Gleanings from an Unplanned Life: An Annotated Oral History’ and ‘Freedom at Risk: Reflections on Politics’, Liberty, and the State’.
His ‘Gleanings from an Unplanned Life: An Annotated Oral History’ is slightly biographical in nature. Through this book, the author offers an account of his transformation from a highly private businessman/lawyer into what he calls an “unplanned life”. It also provides an insight to the serious problems faced by the American society.
In ‘Freedom at Risk: Reflections on Politics, Liberty, and the State’ he explains how the government has failed time and again in dealing with the major economic issues faced by the country.
Awards & Achievements
He was honored with the ‘United Nations Environment Programme Award’ for ‘Outstanding Environmental Leadership’ in 1982.
Personal Life & Legacy
He married Ann Frances Cooley in 1953 and the couple has five sons and a daughter.
His wife Ann Frances Cooley passed away on December 30, 2011.
He is the elder brother of William Frank Buckley, Jr., the founder of the conservative magazine ‘National Review’. His brother, Fergus Reid Buckley is a famous writer, speaker, and educator.
His sister Priscilla Buckley was the managing director of ‘National Review’. The retired politician lives in Sharon, Connecticut.
Trivia
This retired judge for the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit has been the only candidate of the Conservative Party of New York to be elected to the U.S. Congress.

See the events in life of James L. Buckley in Chronological Order

How To Cite

Article Title
- James L. Buckley Biography
Author
- Editors, TheFamousPeople.com
Website
- TheFamousPeople.com
URL
https://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/james-l-buckley-3423.php

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