Church-state separationist director dies at 96

WASHINGTON — Glenn Archer, the first executive director of Americans United for Separation of Church and State, died Nov. 15 at the age of 96.

Archer, who lived in Silver Spring, MD., began leading the religious liberty watchdog group in 1948, a year after it was founded.

“Glenn Archer was a figure of towering energy and intellect,” Barry Lynn said, current executive director of the Washington-based organization, in a statement. “He never forgot that Americans United was created to protect the religious liberty of the average person.”

When Archer began his post, the organization was called Protestants and Other Americans United for Separation of Church and State. The organization changed its name in the 1960s.