William Elford Leach FRS (2 February 1791 – 25 August 1836) was an English zoologist and marine biologist. See more

Elford Leach was born at Hoe Gate, Plymouth, the son of an attorney. At the age of twelve he began a medical apprenticeship at the Devonshire and Exeter Hospital, studying anatomy and chemistry. … See more

Despite his expertise in particular animal groups, Leach's greatest contribution was his almost single-handed modernisation of the whole of British zoology following its stagnation during the long war with post-revolutiona… See more

Leach's nomenclature was often personal – he named nineteen species and one genus after his employee and friend John Cranch, who had died while collecting the species in Africa on the expedition of HMS Congo. He named nine … See more

Leach's written works during his time at the British Museum include the following:
• The Zoological Miscellany (1814–1817)
• Monograph on the British Crabs, Lobsters, Prawns and other Crustacea with pedunculat… See more