Leonard Cutler Sanford

Leonard Cutler Sanford (September 19, 1869 – December 7, 1950) was an American surgeon and amateur ornithologist, who served as a trustee of the American Museum of Natural History for nearly thirty years and played a key role in building up its bird collections.

Early years Sanford was born in New Haven, Connecticut. He graduated from Yale University and pursued a successful career as a surgeon. However, his main interest throughout his life was ornithology. He became an Associate of the American Ornithologists' Union in 1902, and a Life Associate in 1919.

Sanford died in 1950 at his winter home in Florida.

He is commemorated in the names of Sanford's sea-eagle (Haliaeetus sanfordi), Sanford's bowerbird (Archboldia sanfordi), and Sanford's brown lemur (Eulemur sanfordi). Also, a species of lizard, Sanford's emo skink (Emoia sanfordi), is named in his honor.

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