M. Stanton Evans

M. Stanton Evans – Life, Career, and Famous Quotes

Explore the life and career of M. Stanton Evans (1934–2015), the American journalist, author, and conservative thinker. Learn about his early years, major works (including Blacklisted by History), his influence, top quotes, and enduring legacy in political journalism.

Introduction

Medford Stanton “M. Stanton” Evans (July 20, 1934 – March 3, 2015) was an influential American journalist, author, educator, and conservative intellectual. Over his lifetime he helped shape the conservative movement in the United States—from the drafting of its foundational principles to teaching and mentoring aspiring writers through his National Journalism Center. His writings spanned politics, history, media critique, and ideology. Today, Evans is remembered both for his bold perspectives and his role as a connector across generations of conservative thinkers.

In the crowded marketplace of ideas, Evans stood out as a writer who insisted that ideas matter—and that principles should anchor public discourse. His work continues to be cited by scholars, commentators, and activists who look to the history and philosophy of American conservatism.

Early Life and Family

M. Stanton Evans was born in Kingsville, Texas, on July 20, 1934, to Medford Bryan Evans and Josephine Stanton Evans. Together they formed an intellectual environment at home, exposing young Stan to literature, debate, and the importance of principled conviction.

Evans spent parts of his childhood in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and within the Washington, D.C. area, which exposed him early to the intersection of culture, politics, and governance.

His upbringing, in a home steeped in intellectual rigor, helped him develop a deep respect for ideas and a sensitivity to how political, social, and cultural narratives shape public life.

Youth and Education

Evans entered Yale University in the fall of 1951 and graduated magna cum laude in 1955 with a B.A. in English, earning membership in Phi Beta Kappa. Yale Daily News.

This blend of literary fluency and economic understanding would become one of his hallmarks: writing that was clear and forceful, grounded in ideas about markets, limited government, and moral responsibility.

Career and Achievements

From early on, Evans immersed himself in conservative journalism and organization-building. Below is an overview of key stages and milestones in his career.

Early orial Roles & National Review

After finishing his education, Evans served as an assistant editor at The Freeman, a journal that aligned with libertarian and classical liberal thought, under editor Frank Chodorov. National Review, William F. Buckley Jr.’s influential magazine, working as associate editor from 1960 to 1973.

Evans also became managing editor of Human Events, a long-standing conservative weekly publication, later serving as contributing editor until his death.

Newspapers, Columns, and Teaching

By the age of 26, Evans had become the youngest editor of a metropolitan daily newspaper in the U.S.—he served as editor of The Indianapolis News.

He wrote a nationally syndicated column via Los Angeles Times syndicate starting in the mid-1970s.

Movement Leadership & Influence

Evans played a major institutional role in the conservative movement: from 1971 to 1977, he was chairman of the American Conservative Union (ACU).

One of his most enduring contributions was founding the National Journalism Center in 1977, which he led until 2002.

Evans was also an active member or trustee of various conservative organizations: the Philadelphia Society, Council for National Policy, Intercollegiate Studies Institute (ISI), and others.

Major Publications

Evans published eight books, many of them focused on American politics, ideology, and the conservative tradition. Key works include:

• Revolt on the Campus (1961)

• The Fringe on Top: Political Wildlife Along the New Frontier (1963)

• The Liberal Establishment (1965)

• The Politics of Surrender (1966)

• The Lawbreakers: America’s Number One Domestic Problem (1968)

• The Future of Conservatism: From Taft to Reagan and Beyond (1968)

• Clear and Present Dangers: A Conservative View of America’s Government (1975)

• The Theme Is Freedom: Religion, Politics, and the American Tradition (1996)

• Blacklisted by History: The Untold Story of Senator Joe McCarthy and His Fight Against America’s Enemies (2007)

• Stalin’s Secret Agents: The Subversion of Roosevelt’s Government (with Herbert Romerstein, 2012)

His 2007 work Blacklisted by History is perhaps his best-known. In it, Evans argued that the negative reputation of Senator Joseph McCarthy has been exaggerated or distorted and that McCarthy’s investigations into Communist infiltration in the U.S. government deserve reexamination.

Honors & Recognition

Over his lifetime, Evans received honorary doctorates from multiple institutions including Syracuse University, John Marshall Law School, Grove City College, and Francisco Marroquín University.

Troy University’s journalism school now hosts an M. Stanton Evans Symposium, and there's also an Evans Alumni Award named in his honor.

Historical Milestones & Context

To understand Evans’s life is also to see the arc of American conservatism in the post–World War II era:

• The Rise of the Conservative Movement: Evans was active during the formative decades of the “New Right.” He participated in drafting the Sharon Statement (1960), the foundational conservative youth principles document (at the Buckley compound).

• Fusionism: Evans was an advocate of the conservative philosophy reconciling libertarian and traditionalist strands (a synthesis often called “fusionism”). He believed freedom and virtue are complementary, not antagonistic.

• Media Evolution: He rode the shift from print to broadcast commentary, writing columns, appearing on radio and television, and engaging public discourse.

• Cold War & McCarthyism Debates: His work on Blacklisted by History was part of a broader 21st-century conservative reassessment of McCarthyism, Soviet infiltration, and the limits of anti-Communist vigilance.

• Generational Transmission: Through the National Journalism Center and his network, Evans connected the Old Right and New Right to younger conservatives in the late 20th century, helping carry ideas forward into new media contexts.

Evans lived through the civil rights era, the Vietnam War, Watergate, the rise of Reaganism, the post-Cold War era, and the early 21st century. His writings and institutional roles reflect both an adherence to principle and an effort to adapt conservative ideas to changing times.

Legacy and Influence

Evans left behind multiple legacies:

1. Institutional & Educational Legacy
   The National Journalism Center trained many young writers and thinkers, instilling in them the emphasis on fact-based writing, intellectual courage, and alignment with principles. The symposium and alumni award in his name at Troy University keep his institutional memory alive.

2. Intellectual Legacy
   His books and articles remain cited in debates over conservative philosophy, media and journalism ethics, McCarthyism, and the role of ideas in public life. The Theme Is Freedom is regarded by many as a central work in modern conservative thought.

3. Personal Legacy
   Evans was remembered by peers and former students as warm, witty, generous, deeply learned, and encouraging—even in disagreement. His sense of humor and humanity balanced the often combative world of political ideas.

4. Continuing Relevance
   In an age of polarization and media fragmentation, Evans’s insistence on intellectual consistency, disciplined writing, and principled engagement continues to resonate for those seeking more substantive public discourse.

Personality and Talents

Evans combined sharp intellect with a lively, humorous spirit. Those who knew him spoke of his warm manner and ironic wit. He could deliver a biting line with a straight face and delight in provoking debate.

He was also a bridge-builder: capable of mentoring, persuading, and engaging across generational divides. His rhetorical gifts—clarity, directness, and metaphorical resonance—made him effective in both polemical writing and teaching.

He also had a certain humility: in his later life when confronted with terminal illness, he reportedly joked, “The good news is I no longer have to worry about my money holding out.” That capacity to laugh, even in adversity, reflects a deeper confidence in one’s life purpose.

Famous Quotes of M. Stanton Evans

Below are some of Evans’s best-known quotes, revealing both his style and convictions:

“A modern liberal is someone who doesn’t care what you do, as long as it’s compulsory.”

“It’s amazing how much credit you can take, if you don’t care about accomplishing anything.”

“Once our people get themselves into a position to make policy, they cease being our people.”

“He who writes the Resolved Clause, wins the debate.”

“No matter how bad you think something is, when you look into it, it’s always worse.”

“The trouble with conservatives is that too many of them come to Washington thinking they are going to drain the swamp, only to discover that Washington is a hot tub.”

“I tell my students, even if you are an opinion journalist, your opinion should be based on facts.”

“I was never for Richard Nixon until Watergate.”

These lines reflect his skepticism of political posturing, his commitment to principled critique, and his biting wit.

Lessons from M. Stanton Evans

From Evans’s life and work, several lessons emerge:

1. Ideas Matter
   Evans believed that public policy and culture flow from ideas. He modeled that belief by writing rooted in philosophical clarity, not mere partisanship.

2. Principle Over Popularity
   He did not shy from criticizing leaders within his own ideological circle (e.g. Nixon) when he believed principles were compromised.

3. Mentorship & Institutional Building
   Lasting influence often comes through institutions and teaching, not just individual writings. Through the National Journalism Center, Evans multiplied his impact.

4. Civic Engagement with Intellectual Rigor
   He showed how to engage in politics without sacrificing intellectual discipline, insisting that convictions must be argued, not asserted.

5. Humor & Humanity in Public Life
   His wit—often self-deprecating—prevented his public persona from becoming brittle. He reminds us that seriousness need not exclude joy.

Conclusion

M. Stanton Evans was a towering figure in late 20th-century American conservatism. Through his writing, institutional work, mentorship, and humor, he left an enduring imprint on how ideas, journalism, and public life interact. His life demonstrates that in a world of shifting currents, grounding in principle and clarity of thought can serve as compass and anchor.

To explore further, you might read Blacklisted by History or The Theme Is Freedom, or dive into writings from alumni of his National Journalism Center. And for inspiration, his quotes stand as models of crisp, provocative expression that invite reflection.