Irving Kristol (January 22, 1920 – September 18, 2009) was an American columnist, journalist, and writer. He was born in New York City. Kristol was called the "godfather of neoconservatism." He contributed to many magazines and founded some. He was very important for the intellectual and political culture of the last fifty years.
His wife was historian Gertrude Himmelfarb. They had two children; including Chief of Staff to Vice President Bill Kristol.
In July 2002, he received from President George W. Bush the Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor.
Kristol died on September 18, 2009 under hospice care in Falls Church, Virginia of lung cancer-related problems at the age of 89.