Social issues

Wallace was forthright in voicing his opinions, whether popular or not. His letters reveal a committed socialist, an advocate of land nationalisation and a man who opposed militarism.

Wallace on tackling London's pollution

Manuscript by Wallace addressed to George Silk, suggesting an Act of Parliament to tackle the smoke problem in London and quoting a letter from his brother in California about politics determining official appointments, dated November 1858.
Evidence against vaccination

Booklet by Wallace called Registration Statistics and Vaccination, used to lobby the government, dated 1885.
Wallace's views on an eight-hour working day

Letter from Wallace to his daughter Violet presenting his argument for an eight-hour working day and double pay for overtime, dated May 1891.
Report of the Land Nationalisation Society

Report of the Land Nationalisation Society containing Wallace's Presidential address, dated July 1892.
A local lecture and Wallace's radical social views

Letter from Wallace to his daughter Violet describing a lecture on the colours of animals, his impending article in the Nineteenth Century journal, and asking about her teaching 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
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.
Wallace's views on militarism and seances

Letter from Wallace to his daughter Violet on writing an article about militarism, and giving details of a séance, dated November 1898.
Wallace and the land nationalisation movement

Letter from Wallace to his son William describing a book sent to him from a fellow socialist and author, dated February 1905.
List of humanitarians

List of ten names entitled The Chief Humanitarians of the Nineteenth Century in the Opinion of Alfred Russel Wallace, undated, circa 1913.
Birthday congratulations and disagreement on socialism

Letter from H A Bulley, a member of the public, to Wallace sending 90th birthday congratulations and disagreeing at length with Wallace on socialism, dated January 1913.
Wallace and the Croydon Natural History Society

Letter from Frank Roberts of the Croydon Natural History Society giving details on Wallace's connections with the society and his proposal that women should be permitted to join, dated February 1913.
Birthday congratulations and admiration for socialism

Letter from anthropologist Albert Gilbertson to Wallace sending 90th birthday congratulations and praise for his work as a scientist and a socialist, dated January 1913.
Wallace on socialism at 90 years old

Press cutting reporting Wallace's lifelong views on socialism, dated January 1913.