Natural Selection and Beyond

The Intellectual Legacy of Alfred Russel Wallace

Edited by Charles H. Smith and George Beccaloni

2008 was the 150th anniversary of the presentation to the Linnean Society of the joint paper by Charles Darwin and Alfred Russel Wallace outlining the concept of evolution by natural selection
At the time of his death, Wallace was probably the most famous scientist in the world. However, the range of his intellectual legacy has not - until now - been widely appreciated
This collection of essays covers not only Wallace's contributions to biology and natural history, but also his influential work in other disciplines: from biogeographical studies and astrobiology, to subjects as far-ranging as glaciology, land reform, anthropology, and epidemiology
Reveals Wallace's interest and support of spiritualism, socialism, and the rights of the ordinary person
Examines the impact of Wallace's ideas - revealing how his innovative ideas are still being explored and elaborated upon today

Natural Selection and Beyond

The Intellectual Legacy of Alfred Russel Wallace

Edited by Charles H. Smith and George Beccaloni

Description

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.

Natural Selection and Beyond

The Intellectual Legacy of Alfred Russel Wallace

Edited by Charles H. Smith and George Beccaloni

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

Natural Selection and Beyond

The Intellectual Legacy of Alfred Russel Wallace

Edited by Charles H. Smith and George Beccaloni

Author Information

Charles H. Smith is Professor of Library Public Information Services at Western Kentucky University. His research interests include biogeography and evolutionary theory, systems theory, bibliography, and Alfred Russel Wallace. He has published four books, nearly a hundred journal articles and reviews, and currently maintains the website The Alfred Russel Wallace Page at http://www.wku.edu/~smithch/index1.htm

His previous book publications are Alfred Russel Wallace: An Anthology of his Shorter Writings; Biodiversity Studies: A Bibliographic Review; Alfred Russel Wallace: Writings on Evolution, 1843-1912; and Alfred Russel Wallace: Evolution of an Evolutionist.

George Beccaloni is Curator in the Department of Entomology at the Natural History Museum, London. A Fellow of the Linnean Society of London and Royal Entomological Society of London, he also set up the A. R. Wallace Memorial Fund. His publications include numerous research articles and the following books (as co-editor): Hostplants of the Moth and Butterfly Caterpillars of the Oriental Region; Hostplants of the moth and butterfly caterpillars of America north of Mexico; and Host-plants of the Neotropical Butterflies: A Catalogue.

Contributors:

Dr. George Beccaloni
Dr. Ted Benton
Dr. Andrew J. Berry
Dr. Peter Bowler
Dr. Tim Caro
Dr. Gregory Claeys
Lord Cranbrook
Dr. Steven J. Dick
Dr. Melinda Fagan
Dr. Martin Fichman
Dr. Geoffrey Hill
Dr. Norman A. Johnson
Dr. Sandra Knapp
Dr. Leena Lindstrom
Dr. James Mallet
Dr. Sami Merilaita
Dr. Bernard Michaux
Dr. James R. Moore
Dr. Diane B. Paul
Dr. Peter Raby
Dr. Charles H. Smith
Dr. Michael Speed
Dr. David A. Stack
Dr. Martin Stevens
Dr. Keith Tinkler

Natural Selection and Beyond

The Intellectual Legacy of Alfred Russel Wallace

Edited by Charles H. Smith and George Beccaloni

From Our Blog

In the footsteps of Alfred Russel Wallace with Bill Bailey

By George and Jan Beccaloni On Sunday 29 July 2013, we headed off to Wallacea for three weeks to assist comedian Bill Bailey with a documentary he is presenting about Alfred Russel Wallace. George, the Natural History Museum's Curator of Orthopteroid Insects, acted as the Historical Consultant.

Posted on November 3, 2013

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On (re-)discovering Alfred Russel Wallace

By George Beccaloni Two of my greatest passions in life are cockroaches and Alfred Russel Wallace, so I am fortunate to not only be the curator of the London Natural History Museum's collection of orthopteroid insects, but also the director of the Wallace Correspondence Project.

Posted on November 2, 2013

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