Alfred Russel Wallace / Patrick Armstrong

Object Details

Notes

NHMAIN copy has bookplate: Smithsonian Institution Libraries, Gift of Alan R. Kabat.

Contents

Early life -- South American journey -- Eight years in southeast Asia -- The natural selection insight and its aftermath -- The maturing scientist -- The radical and the heretic -- To the end of the universe -- 'A contented man' -- Some thoughts on Wallace's mind and character

Summary

Sometimes referred to as the "Father of Biogeography," Alfred Russel Wallace has come to be known as the co-originator of the theory of evolution through natural selection, and he also wrote extensively on zoology, botany, anthropology, politics, astronomy, and psychology. Although notorious in his day for his unpopular and eccentric beliefs, he is still recognized as one of the leading figures in nineteenth-century British science. In this book, Patrick Armstrong illuminates the many facets of Wallace's long life, which extended from 1823 until the eve of World War I. He shows Wallace to be, in many ways, a more interesting character than his colleague and friend, evolutionary scientist Charles Darwin. Taking a psychological approach, this compact yet comprehensive biography gives insight into a man who was frequently plagued with misfortune; legal problems, inability to obtain full-time employment, and relationship troubles all vexed him. Armstrong unlocks the life of a restless traveler who, although raised with "a very ordinary" education, would go on to become one of the most influential, extraordinary scientists of his time

Data Source

Smithsonian Libraries

Date

2019

19th century

author

Armstrong, Patrick 1941-

Type

Biography

History

Physical description

175 pages : illustrations ; 20 cm

Place

Great Britain

Topic

Naturalists

Evolution (Biology)--History

Record ID

siris_sil_1109968

Usage

CC0