Edward J. Orton, Jr.

Professor Edward Orton Jr. (October 8, 1863 in Chester, New York, United States – February 10, 1932 in Columbus, Ohio, USA) was an American academic administrator, businessman, ceramic engineer, geologist, and philanthropist.

Orton Jr. is the son of Dr Edward Orton Sr., a Harvard educated geologist, and Mary Jennings Orton. Shortly after his birth, in 1865, his family relocated to Yellow Springs, Ohio, when his father became principal of the preparatory school of Antioch College. In 1873, he began attending public school in Columbus after his father relocated the family when he was appointed first President of The Ohio State Agricultural and Mechanical College.

Orton Jr. graduated from Ohio State University with an Engineer of Mines degree in 1884. From 1884 to 1888, he was chemist and superintendent of blast furnaces. The regular manufacture of high silicon alloy of iron, “ferro-silicon,” in the United States was introduced first by him, at the Bessie Furnace, New Straitsville, Ohio, 1887-88. In the latter year, he entered the ceramic industries of Ohio, managing several plants until 1893. In 1894, Orton was appointed the first chairman of a school of ceramic engineering at Ohio State University, the first ceramic engineering school in the United States. This school for instruction in the technology of clay, glass and cement industries was established largely through his efforts. Orton also served as the Dean of the College of Engineering from 1902 to 1906 and again from 1910 to 1915.

Orton honored his father with the Orton Memorial Library of Geology, inside Orton Hall at Ohio State University, for perusing the theories and records of earthly change. Orton Hall would later house the Orton Geological Museum.

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