December 17, 2008

Alfred Russel Wallace Achieves Fame

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Alfred Russel Wallace is finally achieving fame for his scientific discoveries, 95 years after his death. Although Charles Darwin receives much of the credit for the theory of natural selection, the thinking of Alfred Russel Wallace was critical for the development of the discipline.

Working independently of Charles Darwin, Wallace published his theories of natural selection. Darwin, upon reading Wallace's theories, published his own findings.

The work of Wallace is getting more attention since David Quanmen of National Geographic has written a new article about him, entitle The Man who wasn't Darwin.

"Wallace, famed during his life as Darwin's junior partner and for his other contributions to science and social thought, fell into obscurity after his death, in 1913. In recent decades his renown has been revivified, both by scholars who mine every aspect of Darwin's life—Wallace was a crucial part—and by a few popular writers," writes Quanmen.

It's a fitting tribute for a man who has been forgotten by many in modern society. Alfred Russel Wallace remains a pivotal figure in the way we all look at the origin of life.

Source: Times of the internet

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