<SUBMISSION>
<ACCESSION-NUMBER>0000354190-05-000136
<TYPE>3
<PUBLIC-DOCUMENT-COUNT>2
<PERIOD>20051019
<FILING-DATE>20051024
<DATE-OF-FILING-DATE-CHANGE>20051024
<ISSUER>
<COMPANY-DATA>
<CONFORMED-NAME>GALLAGHER ARTHUR J & CO
<CIK>0000354190
<ASSIGNED-SIC>6411
<IRS-NUMBER>362151613
<STATE-OF-INCORPORATION>DE
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>1231
</COMPANY-DATA>
<BUSINESS-ADDRESS>
<STREET1>TWO PIERCE PLACE
<CITY>ITASCA
<STATE>IL
<ZIP>60143
<PHONE>6307733800
</BUSINESS-ADDRESS>
</ISSUER>
<REPORTING-OWNER>
<OWNER-DATA>
<CONFORMED-NAME>McCurdy Kay W
<CIK>0001342075
</OWNER-DATA>
<FILING-VALUES>
<FORM-TYPE>3
<ACT>34
<FILE-NUMBER>001-09761
<FILM-NUMBER>051152844
</FILING-VALUES>
<BUSINESS-ADDRESS>
<PHONE>630-285-3564
</BUSINESS-ADDRESS>
<MAIL-ADDRESS>
<STREET1>C/O ARTHUR J. GALLAGHER & CO.
<STREET2>TWO PIERCE PLACE
<CITY>ITASCA
<STATE>IL
<ZIP>60143
</MAIL-ADDRESS>
</REPORTING-OWNER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgardoc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2005-10-19</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000354190</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>GALLAGHER ARTHUR J &amp; CO</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>AJG</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001342075</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>McCurdy Kay W</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>ARTHUR J. GALLAGHER &amp; CO.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>TWO PIERCE PLACE</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>ITASCA</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>IL</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>60143</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>400</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>By: John C.Rosengren  For: Kay W. McCurdy</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2005-10-24</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>EX-24
<SEQUENCE>2
<FILENAME>mccurdyex24.htm
<DESCRIPTION>EDGAR SUPPORTING DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<HTML>
<HEAD>

<TITLE>POWER OF ATTORNEY</TITLE>
</HEAD>
<BODY>

<TABLE CELLSPACING=0 BORDER=0 WIDTH=666>
<TR><TD VALIGN="TOP" COLSPAN=6>
<B><FONT FACE="Arial"><P ALIGN="CENTER">POWER OF ATTORNEY</B></FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD VALIGN="TOP" COLSPAN=6>
<FONT FACE="Arial" SIZE=2><P>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD WIDTH="6%" VALIGN="TOP">
<FONT FACE="Arial" SIZE=2><P>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="94%" VALIGN="TOP" COLSPAN=5>
<FONT FACE="Arial" SIZE=2><P>Know all by these presents, that the undersigned hereby constitutes and appoints each of </FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD VALIGN="TOP" COLSPAN=6>
<FONT FACE="Arial" SIZE=2><P>John C. Rosengren and Douglas K. Howell, his true and lawful attorney-in-fact to:</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD WIDTH="6%" VALIGN="TOP">
<FONT FACE="Arial" SIZE=2><P>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%" VALIGN="TOP" COLSPAN=2>
<FONT FACE="Arial" SIZE=2><P>&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="83%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD WIDTH="6%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="TOP">
<FONT FACE="Arial" SIZE=2><P>(1)</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%" VALIGN="TOP" COLSPAN=2>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="83%" VALIGN="TOP">
<FONT FACE="Arial" SIZE=2><P>execute for and on behalf of the undersigned Forms&nbsp;3, 4, and 5 in accordance with Section&nbsp;16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the rules thereunder;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD WIDTH="6%" VALIGN="TOP">
<FONT FACE="Arial" SIZE=2><P>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%" VALIGN="TOP" COLSPAN=2>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="83%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD WIDTH="6%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="TOP">
<FONT FACE="Arial" SIZE=2><P>(2)</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%" VALIGN="TOP" COLSPAN=2>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="83%" VALIGN="TOP">
<FONT FACE="Arial" SIZE=2><P>do and perform any and all acts for and on behalf of the undersigned which may be necessary or desirable to complete and execute any such Form&nbsp;3, 4, or 5, complete and execute any amendment or amendments thereto, and timely file such form with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and any other authority; and</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD WIDTH="6%" VALIGN="TOP">
<FONT FACE="Arial" SIZE=2><P>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%" VALIGN="TOP" COLSPAN=2>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="83%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD WIDTH="6%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="TOP">
<FONT FACE="Arial" SIZE=2><P>(3)</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%" VALIGN="TOP" COLSPAN=2>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="83%" VALIGN="TOP">
<FONT FACE="Arial" SIZE=2><P>take any other action of any type whatsoever in connection with the foregoing which, in the opinion of such attorney-in-fact, may be of benefit to, in the best interest of, or legally required by, the undersigned, it being understood that the documents executed by such attorney-in-fact on behalf of the undersigned pursuant to this Power of Attorney shall be in such form and shall contain such terms and conditions as such attorney-in-fact may approve in his discretion.</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD WIDTH="6%" VALIGN="TOP">
<FONT FACE="Arial" SIZE=2><P>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%" VALIGN="TOP" COLSPAN=2>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="83%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD WIDTH="6%" VALIGN="TOP">
<FONT FACE="Arial" SIZE=2><P>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="94%" VALIGN="TOP" COLSPAN=5>
<FONT FACE="Arial" SIZE=2><P>The undersigned hereby grants to each such attorney-in-fact full power and authority to do and</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD VALIGN="TOP" COLSPAN=6>
<FONT FACE="Arial" SIZE=2><P>perform any and every act and thing whatsoever requisite, necessary, or proper to be done in the exercise of any of the rights and powers herein granted, as fully to all intents and purposes as the undersigned might or could do if personally present, with full power of substitution or revocation, hereby ratifying and confirming all that such attorney-in-fact, or his substitute or substitutes, shall lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue of this power of attorney and the rights and powers herein granted.  The undersigned acknowledges that the foregoing attorneys-in-fact, in serving in such capacity at the request of the undersigned, are not assuming any of the undersigned's responsibilities to comply with Section&nbsp;16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD WIDTH="6%" VALIGN="TOP">
<FONT FACE="Arial" SIZE=2><P>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="TOP" COLSPAN=2>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="83%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD WIDTH="6%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="94%" VALIGN="TOP" COLSPAN=5>
<FONT FACE="Arial" SIZE=2><P>This Power of Attorney shall remain in full force and effect until the undersigned is no longer required</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD VALIGN="TOP" COLSPAN=6>
<FONT FACE="Arial" SIZE=2><P>to file Forms&nbsp;3, 4, and 5 with respect to the his holdings of and transactions in securities issued by the Company, unless earlier revoked by the undersigned in a signed writing delivered to the foregoing attorneys-in-fact.</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD WIDTH="6%" VALIGN="TOP">
<FONT FACE="Arial" SIZE=2><P>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="TOP" COLSPAN=2>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="83%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD WIDTH="6%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="94%" VALIGN="TOP" COLSPAN=5>
<FONT FACE="Arial" SIZE=2><P>IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has caused this Power of Attorney to be executed as of</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD VALIGN="TOP" COLSPAN=6>
<FONT FACE="Arial" SIZE=2><P>this <U>&nbsp;19th&nbsp;</U> day of <U>&nbsp;&nbsp;October&nbsp;&nbsp;</U>, 2005.</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD WIDTH="6%" VALIGN="TOP">
<FONT FACE="Arial" SIZE=2><P>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="TOP" COLSPAN=2>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="83%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>


<TABLE CELLSPACING=0 BORDER=0 WIDTH=666>
<TR><TD WIDTH="57%" VALIGN="TOP">
<FONT FACE="Arial" SIZE=2><P>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="TOP">
<FONT FACE="Arial" SIZE=2><P>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="41%" VALIGN="TOP">
<FONT FACE="Arial" SIZE=2><P>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD WIDTH="57%" VALIGN="TOP">
<FONT FACE="Arial" SIZE=2><P>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="41%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD WIDTH="57%" VALIGN="TOP" HEIGHT=1><P></P></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="TOP" HEIGHT=1><P></P></TD>
<TD WIDTH="41%" VALIGN="TOP" BGCOLOR="#000000" HEIGHT=1><P></P></TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD WIDTH="57%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="41%" VALIGN="TOP">
<FONT FACE="Arial" SIZE=2><P ALIGN="CENTER">Signature</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD WIDTH="57%" VALIGN="TOP">
<FONT FACE="Arial" SIZE=2><P>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="41%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD WIDTH="57%" VALIGN="TOP">
<FONT FACE="Arial" SIZE=2><P>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="41%" VALIGN="TOP">
<FONT FACE="Arial" SIZE=2><P>Kay W. McCurdy</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD WIDTH="57%" VALIGN="TOP" HEIGHT=1><P></P></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="TOP" HEIGHT=1><P></P></TD>
<TD WIDTH="41%" VALIGN="TOP" BGCOLOR="#000000" HEIGHT=1><P></P></TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD WIDTH="57%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="41%" VALIGN="TOP">
<FONT FACE="Arial" SIZE=2><P ALIGN="CENTER">Print Name</FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>

</BODY>
</HTML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SUBMISSION>
