William Buckley, elder statesman of American conservative thought, died Wednesday at age 82. Tributes have filled the news media as people from all parts of the political spectrum pay homage to the journalist’s erudite style, wit, and capacious vocabulary.

Roger Craver, a veteran direct-marketing consultant and self-described “raging liberal” gives kudos to the late Mr. Buckley for something else as well: his fund-raising foresight.

Writing in his blog The Agitator, Mr. Craver reminds readers that in 1960 Mr. Buckley founded Young Americans for Freedom, a conservative youth organization, and through this group, “was among the first to use direct mail to build financial support for a cause-oriented, advocacy organization.”

Mr. Craver goes on to say that Richard Viguerie, a conservative leader, cut his teeth at Young Americans for Freedom, and then went on to become a widely known direct-mail marketing and fund-raising guru for right-wing causes.

So what do you think? Political leanings aside, should Mr. Buckley be remembered for both his prose and his efforts as a pioneering fund raiser?