Thomas Ryland Sanford (September 4, 1878 – April 8, 1952) was the first President and Founder of the Chatham Training School, known since 1925 as Hargrave Military Academy.
In 1900, while a student there, he was awarded the Orator's Medal during a state contest held at Washington and Lee University.
Sanford married Margaret Taylor of Chesterfield County, Virginia after his graduation from the Richmond College.
He was President of the school from 1911 to 1918, when he resigned and turned over the position to Aubrey H. Camden, who was Dean at the time.
His name endures at Hargrave Military Academy, where he was active for many years as co-founder, second President, and first chairman of the board of trustees.