Allison Expects to Run National Review

Wick Allison, publisher and editor-in-chief of Arts & Antiques magazine, will become publisher of the National Review when Publisher William Rusher retires in January, 1989, Allison said Tuesday.

Allison said he has been talking to National Review owner William F. Buckley for some time about making the move to the conservative political magazine.

Allison, 39, has been a member of the magazine’s board since 1985. He was president of the Young Republicans while at the University of Texas in Austin and worked briefly in the Nixon Administration after college.

“The idea is to make a smooth transition,” Allison said. He added that he did not intend to make any drastic changes in the style of the magazine.

Allison refused to say whether Buckley was going to transfer ownership of the magazine to him, saying, “I think you should ask Bill about that.” Several phone calls to Buckley’s office were not returned.

Allison said, however, “I think we all agree a political magazine ought to have one single owner.”

Rusher, who has been with National Review for more than 30 years, will retire on Jan. 1, 1989.

Allison said he would likely “give up some of my titles” at Arts & Antiques magazine, “but I’ll still own it, along with some other ventures I’m involved in.”