He lived in Stafford until he was seven years old, when his family moved to the neighboring town of Union.

He was educated at Union's public schools and at Hitchcock Academy in Brimfield, Massachusetts.

A member of the Republican Party, he served two terms in the House, both representing Union.

[1] During World War I, Buckley was commissioned a US Army major and charged with administering the Selective Service System in Connecticut.

The Buckley dormitory building on UConn's campus in Storrs was named in his honor.