George F. Will

George F. Will. George Frederick Will is an American conservative political commentator, Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist, and author. Known for his erudite, literary style and advocacy for classical liberalism, he has been a prominent voice in American journalism for decades through his syndicated column and frequent television appearances. His commentary, often critical of both major political parties, reflects a philosophy rooted in the ideas of thinkers like Edmund Burke and Friedrich Hayek.

Early life and education

He was born in Champaign, Illinois, to a father who was a professor of philosophy at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Will attended University Laboratory High School before earning a Bachelor of Arts degree from Trinity College, Oxford, as a Rhodes Scholar. He subsequently received a Master of Arts from Princeton University and completed a Doctor of Philosophy in political science from the University of Oxford. His doctoral dissertation focused on American political culture, foreshadowing his future career analyzing the nation's political institutions.

Journalism career

Will began his career in the early 1970s, working in the office of Senator Gordon Allott of Colorado and later serving as the Washington editor of the conservative magazine National Review. In 1974, he began writing a twice-weekly syndicated column for The Washington Post Writers Group, which would become nationally syndicated to hundreds of newspapers. He gained wider fame as a regular panelist on the television program Inside Washington and as a founding member of ABC News's Sunday morning roundtable This Week with David Brinkley. His insightful commentary earned him the Pulitzer Prize for Commentary in 1977. For years, he was a featured contributor on NBC News and MSNBC programs like Meet the Press before moving his primary television affiliation to Fox News in 2013.

Political views and commentary

Will's political philosophy is a fusion of traditionalist conservatism and libertarianism, emphasizing limited government, free markets, and constitutional originalism. He is a noted admirer of Ronald Reagan, though he has frequently criticized the modern Republican Party for what he sees as its departure from conservative principles, particularly under figures like Donald Trump. He has been a vocal critic of foreign interventionism, opposing the Iraq War and aspects of American imperialism. Will has also championed causes such as baseball's cultural significance and the legalization of medical marijuana, arguing from a federalist perspective. His break with the GOP became formal when he left the party in 2016 over his opposition to its presidential nominee.

Books and publications

A prolific author, Will has written numerous books on politics, culture, and sports. His early works include *The Pursuit of Virtue and Other Tory Notions* and *Statecraft as Soulcraft*, which elaborate on his conservative worldview. He authored a bestselling biography of baseball player Barry Bonds titled *Men at Work: The Craft of Baseball*. His later collections, such as *The Woven Figure: Conservatism and America's Fabric* and *A Nice Little Place on the North Side*, reflect on American political history and his love for the Chicago Cubs. Will also served as editor for *The Portable Conservative Reader*, an anthology featuring writings from Aristotle to Milton Friedman.

Personal life

Will was married to Madeleine Marion from 1967 until their divorce in 1989; they had one child together. In 1991, he married political consultant and former Reagan administration staffer Mari Maseng; they have two sons. His son, Jon Will, was born with Down syndrome, an experience that deeply influenced Will's advocacy for people with disabilities, which he has written about eloquently in his columns. A lifelong fan of baseball, he is a noted supporter of the Chicago Cubs and has served on the board of directors for the Baltimore Orioles. Will resides in Washington, D.C..

Category:American columnists Category:American political commentators Category:Pulitzer Prize winners Category:1941 births Category:Living people