Christopher Stephen Andrews was born in Dublin. He was educated by the Christian Brothers and at University College Dublin. He joined the Irish Volunteers at the age of fifteen and had an active role in the War of Independence. He was arrested and imprisoned in 1920, however he was released after ten days on hunger strike. He was interned at the Curragh in 1921 but he escaped. Andrews took the Republican side during the Irish Civil War. He was interned by the government of the Irish Free State until 1924. He then continued with his studies and graduated with a Commerce degree.
He got a job with the Irish Tourist Association and later with ESB (Electricity Supply Board). When the Fianna Fáil government came to power in 1932 Andrews was put in charge of turf development. He advocated the setting up of a properly managed commercial enterprise. In 1946 Bord na Móna was set up with Andrews as managing director. The new company flourished under Andrews' leadership. In 1958 he was appointed chairman of the Irish transport company, CIÉ (Córas Iompar Éireann). The company was losing millions of pounds every year. Within a few years he re-organised the rail network and reduced the losses to £250,000.
In 1966 Andrews was appointed chairman of the RTÉ authority. He resigned in 1970 when his son, David Andrews was appointed Parliamentary Secretary to the Taoiseach. He was the recipient of numerous honorary doctorates and degrees from various universities. He published his autobiography in two volumes in 1979 and 1982.
Dr. C.S. Andrews died in Dublin.