Jerry Falwell: Quick Facts

Written and fact-checked by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

American religious leader and televangelist Jerry Falwell was the founder of the Moral Majority, a political organization for the promotion of conservative social values. The organization, which Falwell characterized as pro-family and pro-American, quickly grew to several million members and was credited with playing an important role in the election of Republican Ronald Reagan as president in 1980. It remained a force in American politics during the first half of the 1980s but was disbanded in 1989 after Falwell declared that it had accomplished its mission.

Facts

Also Known As	Jerry Laymon Falwell, Sr.
Born	August 11, 1933 • Lynchburg • Virginia
Died	May 15, 2007 (aged 73) • Lynchburg • Virginia
Founder	Liberty University • Moral Majority
Political Affiliation	Republican Party
Notable Family Members	son of Carey H. Falwell • son of Helen Falwell • married to Macel Pate • father of Jonathan Falwell • father of Jerry Falwell, Jr. • father of Jeannie Savas • brother of Gene Falwell
Founder Of	Moral Majority
Published Works	"Fasting Can Change Your Life" (1998) • "Listen, America!" (1980) • "Falwell: An Autobiography" (1996) • "America Can Be Saved" (1979) • "The How To Book: God's Principles for Mending Broken Lives" (1999) • "Liberty Bible Commentary: Old and New Testaments" (1982) • "Building Dynamic Faith" (2005) • "If I Should Die Before I Wake" (1986; with Mel White) • "Strength for the Journey: An Autobiography" (1987) • "Prayer, Fasting, and Living By Faith" (1978)