Guide to the John Orris Photography Collection, 1947-1977

Overview of the Collection

Repository: 
Special Collections & Archives
McIntyre Library
University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
P.O. Box 4004
105 Garfield Ave.
Eau Claire, WI 54702-4004
(715)-836-2739
https://library.uwec.edu/archives/

Reference Code: USGZE UHC 370

Accession Number: 19-022

Collection Number: UHC 370

Creator: Orris, John A.

Title: The John Orris Photography Collection 

Dates: 1947-1977

Quantity: 4.0 linear feet (3 oversized boxes) 

Location of Collection: A4/3g-3h

Languages: Collection materials are in English.

Biographical/Historical Note

John A. Orris was born on August 29, 1921 in Chicago, Illinois. He grew up and attended school in the Rock Island, Moline area. John entered the U.S. Marines during WWII and served as an intelligence tech sergeant in the Pacific. After his honorable discharge, he attended the University of Iowa where he graduated with a degree in photojournalism in 1947.

Orris worked as a news photographer at the Milwaukee Journal, the Detroit News, The New York Times, and occasionally worked as a freelance photographer. In September of 1968, John moved to Platteville where he was a photojournalism instructor at UW-Platteville. John then moved to Eau Claire and taught at UW-Eau Claire, retiring in 1977. He remained active in campus life, continuing to volunteer and audit classes. Throughout his career, John Orris received many photography awards including the Graflex Award, Michigan News Photographer of the Year and the New York News Photographer of the Year. John has been noted for introducing and developing the use of small format cameras, natural light photography and modern camera techniques, as well as for doing pioneer work on many publications. He was a long-time member of the National Press Photographer’s Association.

John took photos of many dignitaries including Eleanor Roosevelt, Harry Truman, Richard Nixon, and John. F. Kennedy. His photos hang in salons all over the world.

John Orris died in Eau Claire on October 14, 2002.

Content Description

The materials from this collection date roughly from 1947-1977, with the bulk of photos originating from the 1950s. The collection is 2 oversized boxes and contains a wide range of photos from his career as a photojournalist. Many of the prints in this collection are a product from his time spent with the Detroit News, Milwaukee Journal, and New York Times. In addition to the photos he had published through papers, Orris frequently showcased his best work at art galleries and photo contests. Many of the images are of various skylines, scenery, and unidentified people.

Administrative Information

Acquisition Information: Transferred to Special Collections & Archives by the Department of Art and Design University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire in 2017.

Access Restrictions: Collection is open to the public.

Use Restrictions: Researchers are responsible for using in accordance with 17 U.S.C. Copyright status of the collection is unknown.

Preferred Citation: John Orris Photography Collection, 1947-1977. UHC 370. Special Collections & Archives.  McIntyre Library.  University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire. Eau Claire, WI.

Processing Note: Processed by Faith Adams in June 2019.

Arrangement: Geographical.

Subjects

Personal Names: John Orris

Corporate Names: University of Wisconsin—Eau Claire. Haas Fine Arts Center.

Subject Terms: University of Wisconsin—Eau Claire. Haas Fine Arts Center.

Geographical Terms: Prints, negatives, film.

Detailed List of Contents

UHC 370: John Orris Photography Collection
Dates: 1947-1977
Extent:  4.0 linear feet (3 oversized boxes)

Container

Contents

Dates 

Box/Folder

1/1

John Orris Self Portraits

1943-1980

Box/Folder

1/2

New York Times

1957-1970

Box/Folder

1/3

Milwaukee Journal

1952

Box/Folder

1/4

Detroit News

1953-1956

Box/Folder

1/5

Misc. 

Box/Folder

2/1

Detroit News

1955

Box/Folder

2/2

Milwaukee Journal

1951-1952

Box/Folder

3/1

New York Times

1954-1957

Box/Folder

3/2

Unknown 

1951