Edgar Leopold Layard | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 23 July 1824 |
| Died | 1 January 1900 (aged 75) |
| Nationality | British |
| Occupation | Diplomat |
| Known for | |
| Notable work | The Birds of South Africa |
| Spouses |
|
| Parent | Henry Peter John Layard |
| Relatives | Sir Austen Henry Layard (brother) |
Title page of "Birds of South Africa" 2nd Ed.
Edgar Leopold Layard CMG FZS MBOU, (23 July 1824 – 1 January 1900) was a British diplomat and a naturalist mainly interested in ornithology and to a lesser extent the molluscs. He worked for a significant part of his life in Ceylon and later in South Africa, Fiji and New Caledonia. He studied the zoology of these places and established natural history museums in Sri Lanka and South Africa. Several species of animals are named after him.