The conservative movement this week lost an elder statesman, its dean. He was Lee Edwards, 92 years old. Edwards was so very important and dear to both the conservative movement and to me personally. In fact, I’ve dreaded writing this tribute because I feared it would take me thousands of words to adequately express his impact. I’ll try to be concise. I can almost hear Lee urging me to do just that, smiling and pleading, “Please, Paul. Please be brief.”

Lee Edwards: Distinguished in All Things
Years ago, Lee Edwards was bestowed the title “Distinguished Fellow in Conservative Thought” by the Heritage Foundation. When I first heard that, I laughed appreciatively. No one better deserved the title.
As we said goodbye, the devout Catholic shook my hand and said, “I’ll see you again, my friend, on the other side.”
Lee had many titles and impressive credentials and rich experiences, too many to list here. Among them, he was particularly proud of the title of Distinguished Lecturer at the Catholic University of America, where he taught for decades. He wrote 25 books, on subjects like conservatism, communism, the Cold War, Ronald Reagan, Barry Goldwater, William F. Buckley, Jr. His was literally the first biography of Ronald Reagan, published in early 1967, mere months into Governor Reagan’s first term.
Regarding his biography of Goldwater, Lee told me last August: “I feel it was my most important work, and the work I put the most time into.” He said that humbly, regretting that the book didn’t get the recognition it deserved. Lee made that observation as I noticed the book stacked on the floor of his Arlington apartment among piles of other works. I confessed to him, “I’m sorry, but I had no idea that you had written a biography of Goldwater.” When I got back to Grove City College, I immediately checked out the book. It’s indeed a significant contribution.
That was true of so much of Lee Edwards’ work, including his founding of the tremendous organization, the Victims of C...