Ferdinand Vandiveer Hayden (1829-1887) was a professor of geology at the University of Pennsylvania. He also worked as a geologist with the United States Geological Survey and played a leading part in the setting up of Yellowstone National Park. He wrote to Sir Archibald Geikie extensively, while he was involved in mapping and survey work in various parts of the United States, about professional issues including publications and criticism. Geikie visited the United States in 1879 and met Hayden, who facilitated his travel to various locations.

See also the Correspondence of Sir Archibald Geikie: American geologists sub-series: Coll-74/13/1.