Some twenty years ago I sent a letter to Mr. Buckley, praising his work and suggesting that he write a book on how to write.  He thanked me and said that he doubted he would ever pen such a book, but that if he ever did, I would receive the first copy.  Many years later, when Buckley: The Right Word was published, I wrote him (tongue-clearly-in-cheek) and included a copy of his previous correspondence.  A week later the book arrived, inscribed with the words, "Cecil, I owe you this, William F. Buckley."  Great men like this don't come along very often.
Cecil Kuhne