Autore: Charles Robert Darwin

Alfred Russel Wallace (1823–1913) was a British naturalist, explorer, geographer, anthropologist, and biologist, renowned for independently proposing the theory of evolution through natural selection, a feat he achieved concurrently with Charles Darwin. Wallace”s seminal work, “On the Tendency of Species to Form Varieties; and on the Perpetuation of Varieties and Species by Natural Means of Selection” (1858), was the result of his extensive research in the Malay Archipelago. This paper, later known as the Sarawak Law, preluded his most monumental insight, which he elaborated upon in his essay “On the Law which has Regulated the Introduction of New Species” (1855). A man of prodigious intellect and boundless curiosity, Wallace”s studies spanned a variety of disciplines. His literary style was expository and clear, aiming to communicate his complex theories and observations to both scientific peers and the educated public. Among his other significant works are “The Malay Archipelago” (1869), which remains one of the most celebrated chronicles of scientific exploration, and “The Geographical Distribution of Animals” (1876), where he delved into biogeography, laying the foundational principles for this field. Wallace is often overshadowed by Darwin, yet his contributions to biological science are invaluable. He received numerous awards, including the Order of Merit, in recognition of his scientific achievements.