Most of Kinsey's social interactions were with other members of the church, often as a silent observer, while his parents discussed religion. His father was known as one of the most devout members of the local Methodist church. His mother received little formal education his father was a professor at Stevens Institute of Technology.
Alfred Kinsey was born on June 23, 1894, in Hoboken, New Jersey, the son of Sarah Ann (née Charles) and Alfred Seguine Kinsey.