Family

Wallace's letters reveal a devoted family man with a great sense of humour. You can also browse Wallace family photographs.

Portrait of Wallace's father

Portrait of Wallace's father Thomas Vere Wallace, undated, circa 1807.
Portrait of Wallace's mother

Portrait of Wallace's mother Mary Anne Greenell, undated, circa 1807.
The Wallace family's financial problems

Letter from Wallace's mother, Mary Anne Wallace, to her friend Miss Draper concerning her financial misfortune following the bankruptcy of an executor of her father's will, dated August 1835.
Herbert Wallace collecting in Brazil

Letter from Herbert Edward Wallace (Wallace's brother) to his mother and sister Fanny about collecting animals to pay his debts and plans for returning home, dated August, probably 1850.
News of Edward Wallace's death

Letter from Henry Walter Bates to Wallace's mother informing her that her son Edward had died in Pará, Brazil dated June 1851.
Wallace family portrait

Photograph of Wallace with his mother and sister, undated, circa 1853.
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.
Wallace's financial difficulties

Letter from Wallace to his brother John in California, giving financial details about their mother's will and family legacy, dated May 1869.
Portrait of Wallace's wife

Photograph of Wallace's wife Annie, undated, circa 1870.
Birth announcement for Wallace's son

Letter from Wallace to his sister Fanny announcing the birth of his son William, dated December 1872.
The financial benefits of lecturing on spiritualism

Letter from Wallace to his wife Annie about having a boil 'mesmerised' by a spiritualist, lecturing on spiritualism and the beauty of Californian forests, dated July 1887.
Wallace has trouble with his cats

Letter from Wallace to his daughter Violet describing moving house to Parkeston in Dorset, dated June 1889.
Wallace builds a garden pond

Letter from Wallace to his son William describing work done on the garden pond and giving advice on the best drawing instruments to buy, dated November 1891.
Wallace's passion for gardening

Letter from Wallace to his daughter Violet discussing the ferns in the garden and asking about her job, dated October 1893.
Wallace encourages Violet's social views and plans for Christmas

Letter from Wallace to his daughter Violet asking about her visit to a 'club for work-girls' and discussing plans for Christmas presents, dated November 1893.
Moving to Dorset and brother John's illness

Letter from Wallace to his daughter Violet about, letting 'Nutwood' Cottage, his brother's cancer and sending insect specimens, dated November 1894
An attempt at photographing a spirit

Letter from Wallace to his wife Annie describing a séance where he was photographed with a spirit, dated June 1895.
Wallace advises his son on collecting animals

Letter from Wallace to his son William giving advice on how to trap small animals whilst on a trip to America, December 1898.
Wallace's interest in Violet's stay in Germany and views on vaccination

Letter from Wallace to his daughter Violet quizzing her about her hosts in Germany and commenting on the recent Vaccination Bill, dated August 1898.
Advice to Violet on writing articles

Letter from Wallace to his daughter Violet giving advice on writing magazine articles on German schools and suggesting sights to see in Dresden, dated September 1898.
Wallace purchases land to build the house Old Orchard

Letter from Wallace to his daughter Violet describing buying land in Broadstone in Dorset, on which to build a house, dated October 1901.