Dr. Samuel Orton and Anna Gillingham are responsible for the creation of the Orton-Gillingham Approach.
Samuel Torrey Orton (1879-1948), was a neuropsychiatrist and pathologist who dedicated his career to researching language-based learning and processing difficulties. Using the science of reading, he researched educational methods to combat neuroscientific learning struggles, applying them to children with dyslexia in the 1920s.
Anna Gillingham (1878-1963), was a psychologist and teacher who focused on language. She helped Dr. Orton create a science-based approach to help children better their literacy skills by both instructing educators and publishing key materials.