Background
George Christian was born on January 1, 1927, in Austin, Texas, United States. He was the son of George Eastland Christian Sr., a district attorney and a member of the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, and Ruby Lene Scott Christian.
Austin, TX 78712, United States
George attended the University of Texas.
editor journalist secretary writer
George Christian was born on January 1, 1927, in Austin, Texas, United States. He was the son of George Eastland Christian Sr., a district attorney and a member of the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, and Ruby Lene Scott Christian.
George Christian graduated from Austin High School in 1944. He was a graduate of the University of Texas, where he earned a bachelor's degree in journalism in 1949 after serving in the Marine Corps.
He was chosen Outstanding Alumnus of the College of Communication, where he earned his journalism degree; member of the Hall of Honor of the College of Natural Sciences; and in 1989 a Distinguished Alumnus of the University of Texas.
George Eastland Christian became the sports editor of the Daily Texan. His professional career began with a seven-year stint as capitol correspondent for International News Service under bureau chief Bill Carter. He was recruited by Jake Pickle and Joe Greenhill in 1956 to work on the staff of the United States Senator Price Daniel. After Daniel became governor, Christian was his press secretary and then chief of staff. He later joined Governor John Connally as press secretary, a post he served at the time Connally was wounded during the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.
In 1966, Christian joined the White House staff, working with National Security Advisor Walt Rostow and then succeeding Bill Moyers as President Johnson’s press secretary. He served three turbulent years at the White House during the height of the Cold War, the Arab-Israeli war of 1967, the Vietnam conflict, and some of the nation’s most severe racial crises.
After serving President Lyndon Baines Johnson from 1966 to 1969, Christian began a successful career as public affairs and political consultant. He also volunteered a large part of his time to fundraising for the University of Texas, historical preservation projects, and many other causes.
Christian was appointed to the Texas Historical Commission by Governor Dolph Briscoe and reappointed by Governors Mark White and Ann Richards, serving 18 years, including a term as chairman.
The Paramount Theater, Governor's Mansion, State Capitol, and recovery of LaSalle' ship, the Belle, were among the beneficiaries of his volunteer fundraising efforts. Governor Bill Clements appointed him to the first board of Friends of the Governor's Mansion and Governors George W. Bush and Rick Perry named him to the committee overseeing the historic State Cemetery.
A prolific writer since his teens, Christian wrote hundreds of speeches for public officials, authored a book, "The President Steps Down," commissioned by Macmillan in 1969, and edited or contributed to a number of others, including The World of Texas Politics" and "LBJ: The White House Years." He was a guest columnist for the Dallas Morning News for many years and also wrote frequently for the Houston Post and the Houston Chronicle. He was a frequent guest on television, news, and history programs, both nationally and in Texas.
Christian was vice-chairman of both the Lyndon B. Johnson Foundation and the Bob Bullock State Museum Foundation, was a co-founder of the Headliners Foundation, and served on the board of Scott & White Memorial Hospital.
Christian was a member of the Democratic party.
Throughout George's career, his hallmark was personal and professional integrity. CBS newsman Dan Rather described him as a man "so honest you could shoot dice with him over the telephone."
Christian was married twice. Firstly, he married Elizabeth Brown. His second wife was Jo Anne Martin, a lawyer, and philanthropist. He had six children.