When people look to the founding of the modern conservative movement, they must ultimately look to Russell Kirk (1918–1994). Author of the groundbreaking treatise The Conservative Mind, Kirk defined conservative political thought for the post–World War II era. An imaginative and optimistic thinker, Kirk wrote essays in justice, society, education, economics, history, and literature that are timeless reminders of what Kirk called “the permanent things”: honor, courage, character, virtue, constancy, humility, wisdom, order, and prudence. His creative spirit is immortalized not only in his political work, however—Kirk also left behind a rich collection of spine-tingling horror stories and sophisticated novels.

James E. Person Jr. explores every aspect of Kirk’s quiet genius. His findings provide much needed insight into the mind of a philosopher who defined a movement that provokes heated debate to this day. Person’s analysis traces conservatism to its roots and, in the process, uncovers important lessons for the future.