John Albert Leach (23 February 1860 – 7 May 1942) was an Australian ornithologist and schoolmaster. Born in Willowvale, near Geelong, Victoria, he pursued a career in education, serving in the New South Wales Department of Public Instruction and teaching at various secondary schools, including Sydney Grammar School.
Leach is noted for his contributions to the study of Australian birds. His most influential work, An Introduction to the Study of Australian Birds (1911), provided a systematic overview of Australian avifauna and remained a standard reference for several decades. He also authored The Birds of Australia (1922), a more comprehensive treatment that combined taxonomic descriptions with observational notes.
In addition to his publications, Leach was active in scientific societies; he served as a member of the Royal Australasian Ornithologists Union (RAOU) and contributed articles to its journal, Emu. His research emphasis included bird ecology, behavior, and distribution, and he advocated for the inclusion of natural history in school curricula.
Leach’s legacy is reflected in the preservation of his manuscripts, field notes, and correspondence at the Australian Museum and the National Library of Australia. These materials continue to support historical research in Australian ornithology.
