| Activity | Wollaston was a very prominent entomologist and malacologist in his time, becoming especially known for his studies on variation in species (especially Coleoptera) inhabiting several North Atlantic archipelagoes. He was well-placed socially and counted many important naturalists, including Charles Darwin (who made frequent use of Wollaston's findings in his own writings), as intimates. Wollaston in fact published a work in 1856 which hinted at transmutationist ideas, but his religious beliefs effectively prevented him from supporting Darwin's theories after 1859. Wollaston's biogeographical leanings included support for the theory that continental lands had once extended outward farther to encompass some of the island groups he studied.
1847 made a fellow of the Linnean Society. 1855 makes the last of 4 trips to the Madeiran Archipelago, British Museum purchases his collection of Madeiran Coleoptera. 1858 investigates the natural history of the Canary Islands. 1859 returns to the Canary Islands. 1866 visits the Cape Verdi Islands. 1875 visits the Island of St. Helena. |