Wallace and Darwin:
A Comparison of Influences on Two Explorers

Alfred Russel Wallace		Charles Darwin
Born in a house overlooking the Usk River in Monmouthshire Knowledge mainly from books little practical experience to guide expedition work Befriended George Silk as a child Did not like studying geography because of the manner in which it was taught Read avidly Very tall and unusually shy		Born in a house on the banks of the Severn River in Shrewsbury Knowledge from interaction with other scientists Gained useful practical knowledge from their firsthand experiences inherited a strong taste for various branches of science quiet, shy, modest
Early Careers: surveyor apprentice watchmaker schoolteacher		Early Careers: Physician
Early Interests: phrenology mesmerism natural history, particularly collecting and identifying British nursery catalog sparked interest in orchids flower show influenced interest in the tropics as a source of orchids thought he could produce varying petal colors in polyanthuses and primroses by watering them with different colored fluids killed worms with salt water before using them as trout fishing bait Interested in the metaphysical and psychological points of view		Early Interests: Nature; outdoor activities Collecting - shells, Lepidopterans, Coleopterans Riding shooting Was not interested in psychology or metaphysics
Family: wealthy, then not so wealthy Grandfather was a victualler in Hanworth in Middlesex; left small inheritance to Thomas Father; Thomas Vere Wallace traced ancestry to the famous Wallace of Stirling; became soliciter in London and then an attorney; did not manage his inheritance well Mother: Mary Ann Grenell made the most of whatever came her way		Family: very wealthy Grandfather: Dr. Erasmus Darwin; gave up position as physician to King George III to have freedom to pursue botany, poetry, mathematics, philosophy and mostly the natural sciences; encouraged and inspired Charles. Father Robert Waring Darwin: successful physician; Charles held him in high esteem Mother: sister of Josiah Wedgewood; died when Charles was 8 Older sisters raised him Great-uncle was a botanist and author of Principia Botanica Married cousin Emma Wedgewood
Influential People: H. W. Bates introduced Wallace to study of butterflies and beetles. Wallace's early mentor, was two years younger, a naturalist and explorer whose work on animal mimicry (the imitation of other life forms or inanimate objects by a particular species) backed up Darwin's theory of evolution. Bates introduced Wallace to entomology and travelled with him to explore the Amazon and collect data there. Sir Joseph Hooker - internationally renowned botanist and Director of the Royal Botanical Gardens at Kew until 1885. Close friend of Charles Darwin and often advised Wallace. Thomas Huxley - close companion of Charles Darwin. Became known as "Darwin's Bulldog" as a result of his strong advocacy of Darwin's theories. Served as President of the Royal Society.		Influential People: F. W. Hope took him to Wales to collect beetles Adam Sedgwick took him on a geology trip John S. Henslow, university botanist,with Sedgwick organized philosophical society to promote interest in geology and natural history Hutton: geologist
Afred Russel Wallace image retrieved on October 30 2003 from www.strangescience.net/ wallace.htm. Photograph from Raby, P. (2001). Alfred Russel Wallace A Life.		Charles Darwin image retrieved on October 30, 2003 from http://www.oceansonline.com/charles_darwin.htm

Marchant, James. Alfred Russel Wallace: Letters and Reminiscence. Arno Press, New York. 1975.