Charles William James Orr

Sir Charles William James Orr, (20 September 1870 – 1945) was a British colonial administrator.

Early life and education He was born the youngest son of Major Andrew Orr of Co. Londonderry and educated at Bath College and the Royal Military College, Woolwich.

Military career He was commissioned into the Royal Garrison Artillery as a second lieutenant on 15 February 1889, and promoted to lieutenant on 15 February 1892. Serving in British India, he was promoted to captain on 7 September 1899. Following the outbreak of the Second Boer War later that year, in March 1900 he was seconded for service in South Africa. He was later promoted to the rank of major.

Colonial service In 1903 he became the British Resident in Northern Nigeria. From 1911 to 1917 he was Chief Secretary to the Government of Cyprus . and from 1919 to 1926 Colonial Secretary of Gibraltar. He was made CMG in 1921.

He served as Governor of the Bahamas from 1926 to 1932 and was knighted KCMG in 1928.

Personal life Charles’ elder sister was the astronomer Mary Acworth Orr. His daughter Lettice married Sir Allen Lane, founder of Penguin books, becoming Lady Letitia Lucy Lane.

Publications Orr wrote two well-received books during his career, The Making of Northern Nigeria in 1911 and Cyprus under British Rule (1918).