Born Edinburgh; died London. Scottish genre painter in oil and occasionally watercolour. Elder brother of Alexander Hohenlohe Burr. In 1853 he studied at the Trustees Academy in Edinburgh under Robert Lauder before moving to London in 1861. Began painting commercially at the age of 14, travelling from town to town painting landscapes as well as the occasional portrait. His first two exhibits completed during his second year as a student were favourbly received. 'The Housewife', painted in 1857, was purchased by the APFA in Scotland, as was 'The Strolling Musician' painted the following year. In 1866, accompanied by his brother, he went to Paris working in the Studio Hébert. Some of his best work was never exhibited. One of his most enthusiastic collectors purchasing pictures before they could be shown publically was Edward Hargitt. Visited Holland in 1869. The Art Journal described his work as 'painstaking, genuine and able', He was master of the doleful and rarely produced a picture without a story. 
He paints and polishes an idyll and while mixing his colours with pathos does not forget the more purely artistic beauty of the painted phrase'. Like Thomas Faed, John Burr painted some excellent watercolours especially of young girls in Highland scenery or by the seaside. 
Elected RBA 1875, ROI 1883. Exhibited RA (18), RSA (2), RWS (9), GI (4), ROI (14), RBA (15) and L (6). He is represented in the Forbes Magazine Collection in New York, Glasgow AG, the SNPG, Paisley AG and City of Edinburgh collection.