Alfred Russel Wallace (1823 – 1913) was one of the late nineteenth century's most potent intellectual forces. His link to Darwin as co-discoverer of the principle of natural selection alone would have secured him a place in history, but he went on to complete work entitling him to recognition as the 'father' of modern biogeographical studies, as a pioneer in the field of astrobiology, and as an important contributor to subjects as far-ranging as glaciology, land reform, anthropology and ethnography, and epidemiology. Beyond this, many are coming to regard Wallace as the pre-eminent field biologist, collector, and naturalist of tropical regions. Add to that the fact that he was a vocal supporter of spiritualism, socialism, and the rights of the ordinary person, and it quickly becomes apparent that Wallace was a man of extraordinary breadth of attention. Yet his work in many of these areas is still not well known, and still less recognized is his relevance to current day research almost 100 years after his death.
This rich collection of writings by more than twenty historians and scientists reviews and reflects on the work that made Wallace a famous man in his own time, and a figure of extraordinary influence and continuing interest today.
Introduction
1. Homes Sweet Homes: A Biographical Tour of Wallace's Many Places of Residence / George Beccaloni
Part I In the World of Nature
2. "Ardent Beetle-Hunters": Natural History, Collecting, and the Theory of Evolution / Andrew Berry
3. Theory and Practice in the Field: Wallace's Work in Natural History (1844-1858) / Melinda Bonnie Fagan
4. Wallace's Annoted Copy of the Darwin-Wallace Paper on Natural Selection / George Beccaloni
5. Wallace and the Species Concept of the Early Darwinians / James Mallet
6. Direct Selection for Reproductive Isolation: The Wallace Effect and Reinforcement / Norman A. Johnson
7. The Colours of Animals: From Wallace to the Present Day I. Cryptic Coloration / Tim Caro, Sami Merilaita, Martin Stevens
8. The Colours of Animals: From Wallace to the Present Day II. Conspicuous Coloration / Tim Caro, Geoffrey Hill, Leena Lindstrom, Michael Speed
9. Alfred Russel Wallace, Biogeographer / Bernard Michaux
10. Wallace and the Great Ice Age / Keith Tinkler
11. Wallace, Conservation, and Sustainable Developement / Sandra Knapp
Part II In the World of Man and Worlds Beyond
12. The "Finest Butterfly in the World?" : Wallace and His Literary Legacy / Peter Raby
13. Wallace and Owenism / Gregory Claeys
14. Wallace, Women, and Eugenics / Diane B. Paul
15. Out of "the Limbo of 'Unpractical Politics'": The Origins and Essence of Wallace's Advocacy of Land Nationalization / David A. Stack
16. Alfred Russel Wallace and Anti-Vaccinationism in the Late Victorian Cultural Context, 1870-1907 / Martin Fichman
17. The Universe and Alfred Russel Wallace / Steven J. Dick
18. Wallace's Unfinished Business / Charles H. Smith
19. Wallace in Wonderland / James Moore
20. Wallace's Dilemmas: The Laws of Nature and the Human Spirit / Ted Benton
21. Wallace, Spiritualism, and Beyond: "Change" or "No Change"? / Charles H. Smith
"Very readable"
– Jim Endersby, Sunday Telegraph
"A scholarly compendium of everything one could wish to know about Wallace."
– Christopher Hudson, Daily Mail