Edward Harris (ornithologist)

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Edward Harris (September 7, 1799 – June 8, 1863) was an American farmer and amateur naturalist.

Son of a farmer, Harris grew up near to Philadelphia. He met the ornithologist John James Audubon in 1824 after which the two men became close friends, Harris providing Audubon with some financial assistance for the publication of Birds of America.

Harris took part in two of Audubon's expeditions: in the spring of 1837 in the Gulf of Mexico, and in 1843 along the Missouri River.

Harris was commemorated by Audubon in the common names of the Harris's Hawk and the Harris's Sparrow, and by John Cassin in the binomial of the Buff-fronted Owl, Aegolius harrisii.