Andrew Picken Orr facts for kids

Andrew Picken Orr (1898–1962) was a Scottish scientist who studied the ocean. He was an expert on tiny ocean plants called phytoplankton and small sea creatures known as copepods. These tiny organisms are very important for the ocean's food web.

Andrew Picken Orr: Ocean Explorer

Early Life and Education

Andrew Picken Orr was born in Ayrshire, Scotland, on August 6, 1898. He went to school at Kilmarnock Academy.

During the First World War, he joined the army as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Royal Scots Fusiliers. He served in France, where he was hurt and became a prisoner-of-war. After the war, he went to Glasgow University. He studied science and earned two degrees, an MA and a BSc.

A Career in Ocean Science

In 1923, Andrew Orr started working as a chemist at the Millport Research Station. This station is a place where scientists study the sea.

Studying the Great Barrier Reef

In 1929, he joined an important trip to the Great Barrier Reef. He worked closely with another scientist named Sheina Marshall. They continued to work together for about 40 years, making many discoveries about ocean life.

Helping During Wartime

During the Second World War, Andrew Orr and Sheina Marshall helped with the war effort. They worked with other scientists, Lillie Newton and Elsie Conway. Their job was to find ways to get a substance called agar from seaweeds found in the UK. Agar was important for medicines at the time. Later, Andrew Orr became the Depute Director, or assistant head, of the Millport Research Station.

A Recognized Scientist

In 1948, Andrew Orr was chosen to be a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. This is a special honor for scientists in Scotland.

He passed away on September 19, 1962. After his death, Sheina Marshall took over his role as Depute Director at Millport.