author
J. Alden (John Alden) Loring
1871–1947
A tireless field naturalist and mammalogist, he spent decades collecting and studying mammals across North America and beyond. He is especially remembered for joining Theodore Roosevelt's Smithsonian African expedition and for turning his experiences in the wild into lively nature writing.
1 Audiobook
Young Folks' Nature Field Book
by J. Alden (John Alden) Loring
About the author
Born in Owego, New York, in 1871, he built his career through hands-on field work. He served with the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Bureau of Biological Survey, worked with the Bronx Zoological Park and the Smithsonian, and carried out collecting trips across the United States, Canada, Mexico, Europe, and Africa.
He is best known as one of the naturalists on the Smithsonian-Roosevelt African Expedition of 1909–1910, where he collected mammal specimens and helped document wildlife on a major scientific journey. His expertise centered on mammals, especially careful field observation and specimen collecting.
Alongside his scientific work, he wrote for general readers as well as young people. Books such as Young Folks' Nature Field Book and African Adventure Stories show his gift for sharing the excitement of natural history in a direct, readable way.