Who was Alfred Russel Wallace?
Alfred Russel Wallace was a naturalist and anthropologist, who extensively explored areas including the Amazon Forest and the Malay Archipelago. However, his scientific findings and conclusions from his explorations became part of the scientific knowledge without acknowledgement. Moreover, despite the fact that Wallace had independently formulated similar theories on natural selection and evolution as Darwin, he was never recognized for his contribution to this field and was largely hidden under the shadow of Darwin. Wallace also possessed a unique way of thinking which set him apart from his colleagues.
What is EVOLUTION and NATURAL SELECTION?
Evolution refers to the big concept of the changes that organisms inherit from generation to generation.
Natural selection is a process where individuals that possess certain heritable characteristics thrive better than other individuals due to those characteristics. Over time, natural selection can increase the match between organisms and their environment. If the conditions of a habitat changes or if the individuals move to a new environment, natural selection may results in adaptation to these new conditions which in some cases, gives rise to new species.
What did he do in Singapore, and how did it influence his work?
Wallace made use of the library in Singapore which contributed greatly to his knowledge and awareness of the publications of other naturalists on this field. Moreover, since Singapore was rich in beetles, he collected beetles to add to his vast collection of insects.
What three new things did you learn from this exhibit?
1. I learnt that Wallace explored the Malay Archipelago and his collection of the birds and insects here are one of the oldest records of the biodiversity here.
2. I learnt that Wallace independently formulated theories on natural selection and evolution but never gained recognition for it.
3. I learnt that Wallace's paper dispatched to Darwin was one of the driving forces for Darwin to publish his paper, in the fear that Wallace might publish the same theory before he would.
Why was Wallace never afforded the same recognition that Darwin received for his contributions to the field of evolution?
Wallace was never afforded the same recognition that Darwin received for his contributions to the field of evolution because of two main reasons. Firstly, since Wallace came from a different social class from Darwin, he did not have formal and traditional schooling unlike Darwin. This could be one of the reasons why he did not gain recognition for his findings and achievements. Secondly, Wallace was modest in nature and as a result of this even avoided participating in scientific and theological disagreements. His nature being as such, he never put forth his findings and thrust himself forwards, which resulted in some of his findings becoming part of the scientific pool of knowledge then, without any acknowledgement and recognition. Wallace himself was never convicted in referring to the theory as his own and always called it "Darwin's Theory".
Alfred Russel Wallace was a naturalist and anthropologist, who extensively explored areas including the Amazon Forest and the Malay Archipelago. However, his scientific findings and conclusions from his explorations became part of the scientific knowledge without acknowledgement. Moreover, despite the fact that Wallace had independently formulated similar theories on natural selection and evolution as Darwin, he was never recognized for his contribution to this field and was largely hidden under the shadow of Darwin. Wallace also possessed a unique way of thinking which set him apart from his colleagues.
What is EVOLUTION and NATURAL SELECTION?
Evolution refers to the big concept of the changes that organisms inherit from generation to generation.
Natural selection is a process where individuals that possess certain heritable characteristics thrive better than other individuals due to those characteristics. Over time, natural selection can increase the match between organisms and their environment. If the conditions of a habitat changes or if the individuals move to a new environment, natural selection may results in adaptation to these new conditions which in some cases, gives rise to new species.
What did he do in Singapore, and how did it influence his work?
Wallace made use of the library in Singapore which contributed greatly to his knowledge and awareness of the publications of other naturalists on this field. Moreover, since Singapore was rich in beetles, he collected beetles to add to his vast collection of insects.
What three new things did you learn from this exhibit?
1. I learnt that Wallace explored the Malay Archipelago and his collection of the birds and insects here are one of the oldest records of the biodiversity here.
2. I learnt that Wallace independently formulated theories on natural selection and evolution but never gained recognition for it.
3. I learnt that Wallace's paper dispatched to Darwin was one of the driving forces for Darwin to publish his paper, in the fear that Wallace might publish the same theory before he would.
Why was Wallace never afforded the same recognition that Darwin received for his contributions to the field of evolution?
Wallace was never afforded the same recognition that Darwin received for his contributions to the field of evolution because of two main reasons. Firstly, since Wallace came from a different social class from Darwin, he did not have formal and traditional schooling unlike Darwin. This could be one of the reasons why he did not gain recognition for his findings and achievements. Secondly, Wallace was modest in nature and as a result of this even avoided participating in scientific and theological disagreements. His nature being as such, he never put forth his findings and thrust himself forwards, which resulted in some of his findings becoming part of the scientific pool of knowledge then, without any acknowledgement and recognition. Wallace himself was never convicted in referring to the theory as his own and always called it "Darwin's Theory".
