Stephens Orr

Who is Stephens Orr?

J. Stephens Orr was a 20th-century Scottish Glasgow photographer with an interest in people and motor cars. Practicing 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. He worked in an age when Scottish culture was highly regarded, and people of all classes saw nothing wrong with The White Heather Club.

His usual subjects were 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. Here is a small selection of personalities that he photographed:

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 Catholic-Jewish cellist

David Brown, Aston Martin cars