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John Stephens Orr (6 March 1907 – 1990) was a Scottish Glasgow photographer whose subject matter was often people or motor cars. Practising between 1930 and 1970 in Glasgow's Langside and later at No. 4 Somerset Place, Charing Cross, he became known for his portraits of society figures in magazines such as Scottish Field.
His photographs were often of judges posing in full regalia, antidisestablishmentarianism lawyers, Duchesses and controversial music hall characters. Orr also photographed some internationally famous celebrities and captains of industry, all visitors to Glasgow. Some of the personalities that he photographed include:
- Paul Robeson — U.S. vocalist and black activist
- Dame Marie Rambert — Polish dancer and choreographer; founder of Ballet Rambert
- Marc Chagall — Jewish painter
- Richard Burton — Welsh actor
- Stanley Baxter — Scottish comedian
- Jacques Tati — French film maker
- Paul Tortelier — French cellist
- David Brown, Aston Martin cars
- William Lyons, Jaguar, Austin cars
- Walter Owen Bentley, Rolls-Royce/Bentley cars
- Nicholas Fairbairn — Scottish lawyer and British politician
Orr wore a distinctive kilt and was photographed in a portrait style similar to Yousuf Karsh. He recorded the last glimmers of a confident Scottish society in flamboyant style. His later life was spent with his wife, Jenny, on the Scottish Clyde coast island of Cumbrae.
He died in Cumbrae, aged 83.
References
- "1907 ORR, JOHN STEPHENS (Statutory registers Births 646/2 458)". Scotland's People. National Records of Scotland and the Court of the Lord Lyon.
- Thomson, Patricia (24 April 1999). "Sydney Harrison". Glasgow Herald. Archived from the original on 11 June 2014. Retrieved 31 January 2014 – via HighBeam Research.
- "Stephens Orr (active 1960s), Photographer". National Portrait Gallery. Retrieved 31 January 2014.
- Scotland's People: Statutory registers - Deaths