Ivan T. Sanderson

Ivan Terence Sanderson blazed the trail into cryptozoological investigation.  Sanderson actually originated the term “cryptozoology” in 1947.  One of the first in the scientific community to treat Bigfoot as a serious phenomenon, he helped generate the excitement and scientific rigor that invigorates Sasquatch research today.

No Sasquatch library is complete without Sanderson’s groundbreaking, scholarly work, “Abominable Snowmen: Legend Come to Life.”  It presents a pioneering classification system covering the gamut of subhuman hominids.  Sanderson’s landmark 1959 article, “America’s Abominable Snowman,” may have propelled Roger Patterson into Sasquatch research.

Sanderson founded the Society for the Investigation of the Unexplained (SITU) to delve into phenomena disregarded by traditional scientists.  At the Smithsonian Institute’s request, Sanderson and Bernard Heuvelmans inspected the infamous Minnesota Iceman.

The Scottish-born adventurer published numerous books, scientific journals, and articles.  His classic nature books include acclaimed accounts of his scientific expeditions: Animal Treasure, Caribbean Treasure, and Living Treasure.  He appeared frequently on radio and TV during the 1950s and 1960s.  Sanderson earned a B.A. in zoology and M.A. degrees in botany and ethnology from Cambridge University.

Books by Ivan T. Sanderson: