James J. Gallagher, Child Development Expert, Is Dead at 87

James J. Gallagher, an authority on child development whose work expanded educational opportunities for disabled and gifted children nationwide, died on Jan. 17 at his home in Chapel Hill, N.C. He was 87.

The death was announced by the University of North Carolina. At his death, Dr. Gallagher was a senior scientist emeritus at the university’s Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute.