Robert Peter George (born July 10, 1955) is a prominent American legal scholar, political philosopher, and leading conservative natural law theorist. He serves as the McCormick Professor of Jurisprudence at Princeton University, where he also directs the James Madison Program in American Ideals and Institutions. His academic work encompasses natural law theory, constitutional interpretation, civil liberties, philosophy of law, political philosophy, and conservative bioethics advocacy, focusing particularly on issues such as marriage, religious liberty, and the sanctity of life. Raised in a working-class family in West Virginia, with his father employed as a coal miner, George pursued higher education at Swarthmore College, Harvard Law School, and Oxford University. He has been influential in public policy, serving as chairman of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom from 2013 to 2016, testifying before Congress, contributing to amicus briefs in landmark Supreme Court cases, and advising various conservative figures and organizations. His Catholic faith informs much of his intellectual output, positioning him as a key figure in bridging jurisprudence with moral philosophy. Throughout his career, George has engaged in high-profile debates and legal advocacy, including opposition to same-sex marriage and support for religious exemptions in public policy. Despite facing criticism from progressive circles for his conservative stances, he remains a respected authority in legal and philosophical spheres.