Alfred Russell Wallace
ALFRED RUSSEL WALLACE
Alfred Russel Wallace (1823–1913) was an explorer of the Amazon Valley in South America.
He led a zoological expedition to the Malay Archipelago.(a group of islands).
This area has great biogeographical importance.
Wallace, also studied the evolutionary change and read the writings of Thomas Malthus on human populations.
He synthesized a theory of evolution similar to Darwin’s theory of evolution by natural selection.
After writing the details of his theory, Wallace sent his paper to Darwin for criticism.
Darwin recognized the similarity of Wallace’s ideas and prepared a short summary of his own theory.
Both Wallace’s and Darwin’s papers were published in the Journal of the Proceedings of the Linnean Society in 1859.
Darwin then shortened a manuscript he had been working on since 1856 and published it as On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection in November 1859.
The 1,250 copies prepared in the first printing. All were sold out on the first day.
Differences between theories of Wallace and Darwin: Similarities were present in the theories of Wallace and Darwin, but there were also important differences.
1. Wallace believed that every evolutionary modification was a product of selection.
Therefore, it is adaptive for the organism.
But Darwin admitted that natural selection may not explain all evolutionary changes.
He did not accept adaptive significance for every modification.
2. Wallace believed it is against morality to give judgments on evolution.
Therefore he could not give clear idea of evolution. But Darwin gave the concept of evolution.
Thus Darwin’s ideas are closer to the views of most modern scientists.
Wallace’s work motivated Darwin to publish his own idea the theory of natural selection.
Darwin performed hard work for years. He accumulated a large number of evidences. Therefore,
Wallace himself attributed the theory to Darwin.
Alfred Russel Wallace (1823–1913) was an explorer of the Amazon Valley in South America.
He led a zoological expedition to the Malay Archipelago.(a group of islands).
This area has great biogeographical importance.
Wallace, also studied the evolutionary change and read the writings of Thomas Malthus on human populations.
He synthesized a theory of evolution similar to Darwin’s theory of evolution by natural selection.
After writing the details of his theory, Wallace sent his paper to Darwin for criticism.
Darwin recognized the similarity of Wallace’s ideas and prepared a short summary of his own theory.
Both Wallace’s and Darwin’s papers were published in the Journal of the Proceedings of the Linnean Society in 1859.
Darwin then shortened a manuscript he had been working on since 1856 and published it as On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection in November 1859.
The 1,250 copies prepared in the first printing. All were sold out on the first day.
Differences between theories of Wallace and Darwin: Similarities were present in the theories of Wallace and Darwin, but there were also important differences.
1. Wallace believed that every evolutionary modification was a product of selection.
Therefore, it is adaptive for the organism.
But Darwin admitted that natural selection may not explain all evolutionary changes.
He did not accept adaptive significance for every modification.
2. Wallace believed it is against morality to give judgments on evolution.
Therefore he could not give clear idea of evolution. But Darwin gave the concept of evolution.
Thus Darwin’s ideas are closer to the views of most modern scientists.
Wallace’s work motivated Darwin to publish his own idea the theory of natural selection.
Darwin performed hard work for years. He accumulated a large number of evidences. Therefore,
Wallace himself attributed the theory to Darwin.