George Will

George Will
Name	George Will
Caption	Will in 2014
Birth date	4 May 1941
Birth place	Champaign, Illinois, U.S.
Alma mater	Trinity College, Oxford (MA), Princeton University (AB), Magdalen College, Oxford
Occupation	Columnist, author, political commentator
Spouse	Madeleine Marion (m. 1967; div. 1989), Mari Maseng (m. 1991)
Party	Republican
Awards	Pulitzer Prize for Commentary (1977)

George Will is an American conservative political commentator and Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist, renowned for his erudite prose and intellectual approach to American politics. His long-running syndicated column appears in hundreds of newspapers, and he has been a prominent panelist on ABC News programs like This Week and a contributor to Fox News. Will's commentary, grounded in a philosophy of classical liberalism and fiscal conservatism, often critiques both Democratic and Republican establishments from a principled, limited government perspective.

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 in Urbana, Illinois, before earning his Bachelor of Arts degree in Religion from Princeton University in 1962. He subsequently pursued graduate studies at Oxford University, attending Magdalen College, Oxford and earning a master's degree in Politics from Trinity College, Oxford. His academic background deeply influenced his later writing, instilling a respect for Enlightenment thinkers and the Federalist Papers.

Career

Will began his career in the late 1960s as an aide to Republican Senator Gordon L. Allott of Colorado. He transitioned to journalism, writing for the editorial page of the Washington Post and the National Review under William F. Buckley Jr.. In 1974, his column was nationally syndicated by the Washington Post Writers Group, quickly becoming a staple of American political discourse. For over three decades, he was a regular panelist on ABC's This Week, engaging in debates with figures like Sam Donaldson and Cokie Roberts. He later became a senior political analyst for NBC News and MSNBC before joining Fox News as a contributor in 2013.

Political views and commentary

Will's conservatism is characterized by a deep commitment to free markets, constitutional originalism, and a skepticism of expansive federal power, often placing him at odds with neoconservatives and populist movements within the GOP. He was a vocal critic of the presidency of Donald Trump, arguing the former president violated conservative principles, and he left the Republican Party in 2016. His commentary frequently draws upon baseball as a metaphor for American tradition and order, and he has been a staunch advocate for a robust military coupled with a restrained foreign policy, opposing interventions like the Iraq War.

Personal life

Will was married to his first wife, Madeleine Marion, from 1967 until their divorce in 1989; they had one child. In 1991, he married Mari Maseng, a former communications director for President Ronald Reagan and advisor to Senator Bob Dole; they have three children. His son, Jon Will, was born with Down syndrome, an experience that profoundly shaped Will's advocacy for disability rights and informed his writing on the subject. A lifelong fan, he serves on the board of the Baseball Hall of Fame and has authored several books on the sport.

Awards and honors

In 1977, he received the Pulitzer Prize for Commentary for his distinguished columns. He has been awarded the National Magazine Award and received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor, from President George W. Bush in 2008. Will holds honorary degrees from numerous institutions, including Emory University, Dartmouth College, and Pepperdine University, and is a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

Published works

Will is the author of over fifteen books spanning politics, philosophy, and sports. His political works include Statecraft as Soulcraft: What Government Does (1983), The Morning After: American Successes and Excesses, 1981-1986 (1986), and The Conservative Sensibility (2019). His writings on baseball are highly regarded, notably Men at Work: The Craft of Baseball (1990) and Bunts: Curt Flood, Camden Yards, Pete Rose and Other Reflections on Baseball (1998). Other notable titles include One Man's America: The Pleasures and Provocations of Our Singular Nation (2008) and a collection of his columns, The Woven Figure: Conservatism and America's Fabric, 1994-1997 (1997).

Category:American columnists Category:American political commentators Category:Pulitzer Prize winners