John Alden Loring (March 31, 1871 – May 8, 1947) was a mammalogist and field naturalist who served with the Bureau of Biological Survey,[1] United States Department of Agriculture, the Bronx Zoological Park, the Smithsonian Institution and numerous expeditions collecting specimens in North America, Europe and Africa.

A voluminous and careful traveling collector, Loring was recognized early in his career for 900 specimens collected, prepared and sent to the United States National Museum over a three-month period during an 1898 expedition through Scandinavia and northwestern Europe.

[1][2] Loring's work and professional relationships spanned several continents focusing on collecting and documenting species of mammals.

He served on the Smithsonian-Roosevelt African Expedition (1909–1910)[3] as the Smithsonian specialist designated to preserve small mammals collected during the year-long expedition.

[4] Loring's personal papers are held by the Smithsonian Institution Archives.