John William Orr

1815-1887

American (Albany, New York; New York, New York)

Born in Ireland, Orr was brought to America at an early age and lived in Buffalo. After studying in New York City with William Redfield in 1836, he set up his wood engraving business in Buffalo in 1837, moving to Albany in 1842 and finally to New York City in 1844. From 1844 to 1846 he and his brother Nathaniel worked together as J.W. & N. Orr. Together they were in demand as book and magazine illustrators with one of the largest engraving plants in the city. In 1848 Nathaniel began a partnership with the engraver, James H. Richardson and later worked independently. During the 1850s Nathaniel was one of the leading wood engravers in the country with his work appearing in books and periodicals of that era.