Alfred Nicholson Leeds (1847–1917) was a pioneering British fossil collector whose work transformed our understanding of Jurassic marine life. Based near Peterborough, he excavated thousands of fossils from the Oxford Clay during the late 19th century, uncovering remarkable specimens of ichthyosaurs, plesiosaurs and the giant fish Leedsichthys, named in his honour. Working alongside his brother Charles, Leeds developed one of the most important fossil collections of its kind, many of which are now held in museums around the world. His discoveries placed Peterborough firmly on the global map for Jurassic palaeontology and continue to shape scientific research and public understanding today.
