Obituary: George Gallup Jr

George Gallup Jr, who helped lead the public opinion polling firm founded by his father until his retirement in 2004, has died of cancer at the age of 81.

George Horace Gallup III was born on April 9, 1930 in Evanston, IL, five years before his father founded the business.

After graduating with a degree in religion in 1953, he considered becoming an Episcopal priest, but after two years working with young people at an African-American church in Galveston, Texas, he chose to join his older brother Alec at the family company.

George Jr was involved in traditional political polls, but expanded the firm's services into religious surveys, when he became known as one of the first pollsters to ask questions about organized religion and religious teachings and practice in the US. In 1977, he helped found the Princeton Religion Research Center, which produced reports on the effect of religious belief on health, trends in church attendance, and religion and young people.

He remained with the family business for half a century; latterly as Chairman and corporate spokesman while his brother served as co-Chairman. Their father died in 1984, and four years later the family sold their stake in the business to Nebraska-based Selection Research (SRI).

After stepping down from his role in 2004, George Jr set up nonprofit organization the George H. Gallup Foundation, through which he and his wife Kingsley organised an annual 'Ideas for Progress' seminar, which sought solutions to social problems identified by the polls.

He also published books on American religion and spirituality, and had recently published 'The Gallup Guide: Reality Check for Twenty First Century Churches'.

Frank Newport, Gallup's Editor in Chief said of him: 'George had this unusual combination of training at his father's knee in polling, the scientific ascertainment of public opinions, and also a passion for religion.'

George Jr's wife died in 2007, and his brother Alec in 2009. He is survived by his daughters Alison and Kingsley, son George IV, sister Julia Gallup Laughlin, and two grandchildren.

All articles 2006-23 written and edited by Mel Crowther and/or Nick Thomas, 2024- by Nick Thomas, unless otherwise stated.