Alfred was one of the first men to think about and document biogeography.
He was born in London but his family due to financial problems, moved to Usk. I understand his sister is buried there. He was raised at a time when Creation Theory was highly thought of and people could be pilloried and made a laughing-stock to talk of evolution.
Alfred became friends with Henry Walter Bates and developed an interest in beetles. They met regularly at Leicester Library. Here he developed an interest in natural history through an anonymous 1844 publication "Vestiges of the Natural History of Creation," and "Voyages up the River Amazon," by W H Edwards.
Through study and his travels abroad he developed the idea of geographical distribution of animals.
Wallace's map of the world, showing his 'lines' of division between species is not very different from the lines which have been developed today after many years research.
On 1 July 1858 Darwin after discussions with Wallace, presented "The Big Idea," to the Linnean Society in London. It was the theory of natural selection. Darwin went on to present his "Origin of Species" which was published in 1859.
Unfortunately Wallace lost much of his credibility as he become interested in Spiritualism and became a Honorary member of the Central Association of Spiritualists in June 1882.
The idea of evolution was not new. Pierre Belon (1517-1564) compared bird skeletons with that of man.
Until recently Charles Darwin took all the kudos for discovering and publicising evolution, but Bill Bailey the performer and comedian has brought Wallace's papers to light and obtained recognition for his work.
Cardiff Museum recently held an exhibition illustrating Wallace's life, his beliefs and discoveries, along with a film on Bill Bailey's part in recognising this fantastic man who spent some of his life in Wales.
Wouldn't it be nice to think that the Usk countryside actually had a part to play in developing his ideas.
http://wallacefund.info
www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-21549079
He was born in London but his family due to financial problems, moved to Usk. I understand his sister is buried there. He was raised at a time when Creation Theory was highly thought of and people could be pilloried and made a laughing-stock to talk of evolution.
Alfred became friends with Henry Walter Bates and developed an interest in beetles. They met regularly at Leicester Library. Here he developed an interest in natural history through an anonymous 1844 publication "Vestiges of the Natural History of Creation," and "Voyages up the River Amazon," by W H Edwards.
Through study and his travels abroad he developed the idea of geographical distribution of animals.
 |
| Wallace created a line between Australasia and the African continent. |
Wallace's map of the world, showing his 'lines' of division between species is not very different from the lines which have been developed today after many years research.
On 1 July 1858 Darwin after discussions with Wallace, presented "The Big Idea," to the Linnean Society in London. It was the theory of natural selection. Darwin went on to present his "Origin of Species" which was published in 1859.
Unfortunately Wallace lost much of his credibility as he become interested in Spiritualism and became a Honorary member of the Central Association of Spiritualists in June 1882.
The idea of evolution was not new. Pierre Belon (1517-1564) compared bird skeletons with that of man.
 |
| Model beetles in the Cardiff Museum exhibition |
Until recently Charles Darwin took all the kudos for discovering and publicising evolution, but Bill Bailey the performer and comedian has brought Wallace's papers to light and obtained recognition for his work.
Cardiff Museum recently held an exhibition illustrating Wallace's life, his beliefs and discoveries, along with a film on Bill Bailey's part in recognising this fantastic man who spent some of his life in Wales.
Wouldn't it be nice to think that the Usk countryside actually had a part to play in developing his ideas.
http://wallacefund.info
www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-21549079
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