Remembering Fred Siegel

The last time I saw Fred Siegel was at a recent Encounter Books/New Criterion Christmas party. As had become customary, Fred did not merely attend our gatherings; he presided over them. In recent years, as his mobility decreased, he perched rather than circulated, and, with his wife Jan nearby, would receive and chat with his many admirers who approached seriatim for the pleasure of his wisdom. Fred exuded benignity. He was also among the best informed and most percipient observers of the political scene I have known. Whenever some contentious election was nigh and confusion reigned, Fred was one of the people I would call to help me cut through the haze and get to the nub of the issues and, what’s more, the likely outcome. I don’t recall Fred ever being wrong in his predictions, which is not something I can say for many people—certainly not for myself.