Born at Sheffield on 16 February 1847, he was only son of Thomas Andrews, proprietor of the Wortley Iron, near the town, and his wife Mary Bolsover. Andrews early undertook original scientific research, with the practical advice and guidance of his father, who died in 1871.
He was educated at Broombank school, Sheffield, and then as a student of chemistry under Doctor James Allan of Sheffield.
He then became head at Wortley. In 1888 Andrews was elected a fellow of the Royal Society. He acted as consultant to the Admiralty and the Board of Trade on metallurgical questions.
At Cambridge University he delivered lectures to engineering students.
And at Sheffield was an advocate of technical education directed to industrial ends, assisted in founding and developing Sheffield University. Andrews died at his home, "Ravencrag", near Sheffield, on 19 June 1907.
Royal Society]
He was also a fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh and of the Chemical Society, and member of the Institution of Civil Engineers and Society of Engineers.
