Antoine-Alfred Marche

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Antoine-Alfred Marche (1844–1898) was a French naturalist and explorer. He traveled to Africa, the Philippines, and the Mariana Islands, collecting artifacts and studying wildlife. He put together a large collection of bird specimens from the Marianas between 1887 and 1889, including birds that were later described as new species, such as the golden white-eye (named by Émile Oustalet). He was awarded the Legion of Honour in 1887 and later worked as an archivist in Tunis.

Marche joined three Western Africa expeditions (1872, 1873–74, and 1875–77). On the second expedition he was joined by Victor de Compiegne, and they explored the Ogooué River. On his third trip he traveled with Pierre Savorgnan de Brazza, collecting many zoological specimens.

From 1880 onward, he conducted naturalist studies in the Philippines on a French government mission. He was especially interested in burial sites and spent much time exploring caves in Boac, Gasan, Mogpog, and nearby areas. From this work he published Luçon et Palawan, Six Années de Voyages aux Philippines (Luzon and Palawan, Six Years of Voyages in the Philippines) in 1887. Today his artifacts are exhibited as examples of Philippine art and antiquity.