Evolution

With Charles Darwin, Wallace was the co-discoverer of the theory of natural selection as a mechanism for evolution. Wallace spent many years popularising the theory through lectures and books. There has been much controversy over the years about the professional relationship between the two men, so what did Wallace really think of Darwin?

Wallace's views on the book Vestiges of the Natural History of Creation

Letter from Wallace to Henry Walter Bates sharing his views on the book Vestiges of the Natural History of Creation, dated December 1845.
Wallace's 'Sarawak law' paper

Reprint of Wallace's paper On the Law which has Regulated the Introduction of New Species, dated February 1855.
The Darwin and Wallace joint paper

Offprint copy of the joint paper by Darwin and Wallace presented to the Linnean Society 'On the Tendency of Species to form Varieties; and on the Perpetuation of Varieties and Species by Natural Means of Selection', dated 1858.
Wallace's pride about his 1858 Ternate paper

Letter from Wallace to his childhood friend George Silk referring to his paper presented to the Linnean Society that August, and discussing politics and literature, dated November 1858.
Wallace on animal distribution and admiration of Darwin

Letter from Wallace to entomologist friend Henry Walter Bates expressing his admiration for Darwin's new book, discussing evidence for the geographical distribution of animals and exchanging specimens, dated December 1860.
Wallace's sense of humour and admiration for Darwin

Letter from Wallace to his brother John in California, praising Darwin's book, humorously replying to a request for silkworm eggs and sending new photographs, dated January 1863.
Darwin's questions on caterpillar colouring

Letter from Charles Darwin to Wallace, asking why some caterpillars are brightly coloured, dated February 1867.
Wallace comments on Darwin's work

Letter from Wallace to Charles Darwin, presenting his arguments against Darwin's views on coloration in female animals, dated September 1868.
Darwin's notes on Wallace's Island Life book

Manuscript notes by Charles Darwin with comments on Wallace's book Island Life, undated, probably 1880.
Wallace's final Darwinism lecture at the Lowell Institute

Press cutting reporting on Wallace's final Darwinism lecture at the Lowell Institute, dated November 1886.
Wallace's Lowell Institute lecture on continental islands

Press cutting reporting on Wallace's fourth Darwinism lecture at the Lowell Institute, undated, probably November 1886.
Report on Darwinism lectures

Press cutting reporting on lectures at University College in Toronto, Wallace's popularity and an outline of his work, undated, probably March 1887.
Annotated proofs for Wallace's book Darwinism

Wallace's proof copy of his book Darwinism with handwritten corrections, dated December 1888.
Handwritten notes on variation

Manuscript notes by Wallace on variation for his book on Darwinism, undated, probably 1888.
Hand-drawn chart showing variation in birds

Manuscript chart drawn by Wallace, showing variation in birds for his book on Darwinism, undated, probably 1888.
Hand-drawn chart showing variation in birds

Manuscript chart drawn by Wallace, showing variation in the Baltimore oriole bird, for his book on Darwinism, undated, probably 1888.
Hand-drawn graph showing variation in the Baltimore oriole

Manuscript graph by Wallace, on variation in the Baltimore oriole bird for his book on Darwinism, undated, probably 1888.
Note on sexual selection

Note about Wallace's views on sexual selection, dated December 1892.
Wallace's note about the loss of his original Ternate paper

Note about the loss of Wallace's original manuscript of the Ternate paper that he sent to Darwin, undated, circa 1902.
Darwinism verses Wallaceism

Proof of a letter to the editor of Contemporary Review entitled Darwinism verses Wallaceism, dated December 1908.
Magazine interview with Wallace

Magazine interview with Wallace commenting on natural selection and Darwinism, and a description of Wallace's likable personality, dated March 1909.
'Evolution can't explain the soul' press cutting

Press cutting of an article by Wallace entitled 'Evolution can't explain the Soul', dated November 1910.