Orr was born in Saint Petersburg in 1828, because her paternal grandfather Sir James Boniface Leighton was Emperor Nicholas I of Russia's physician.

[4] Her husband was involved in numerous operations where the British officers were trying to establish order with Indian troops.

Orr's friends were interested in art and literature and she cemented her friendship with Robert Browning.

Encouraged by the society she created a Handbook to the Works of Robert Browning[5] assisted by advice from the animal artist John Trivett Nettleship.

[6] The following year she re-published what became the sixth edition of Handbook to the Works of Robert Browning which contained her corrections.

[2] Orr published other smaller works including a description of the Browning's religious beliefs and articles against the proposal of Women's suffrage.