Title
Alfred Russel Wallace: A Life.,Used
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In 1858, Alfred Russel Wallace, aged thirtyfive, weak with malaria, isolated in the Spice Islands, wrote to Charles Darwin: he had, he said excitedly, worked out a theory of natural selection. Darwin was aghasthis work of decades was about to be scooped. Within two weeks, his outline and Wallace's paper were presented jointly in London. A year later, with Wallace still on the opposite side of the globe, Darwin published On the Origin of Species.This new biography of Wallace traces the development of one of the most remarkable scientific travelers, naturalists, and thinkers of the nineteenth century. With vigor and sensitivity, Peter Raby reveals his subject as a courageous, unconventional explorer and a man of exceptional humanity. He draws more extensively on Wallace's correspondence than has any previous biographer and offers a revealing yet balanced account of the relationship between Wallace and Darwin.Wallace lacked Darwin's advantages. A largely selfeducated native of Wales, he spent four years in the Amazon in his midtwenties collecting specimens for museums and wealthy patrons, only to lose his finds in a shipboard fire in the midAtlantic. He vowed never to travel again. Yet two years later he was off to the East Indies on a vast eightyear trek; here he discovered countless species and identified the point of divide between Asian and Australian fauna, 'Wallace's Line.'After his return, he plunged into numerous controversies and published regularly until his death at the age of ninety, in 1913. He penned a classic volume on his travels, founded the discipline of biogeography, promoted natural selection, and produced a distinctive account of mind and consciousness in man. Sensitive and selfeffacing, he was an ardent socialistand spiritualist. Wallace is one of the neglected giants of the history of science and ideas. This stirring biographythe first for many yearsputs him back at center stage, where he belongs.
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- Q: What is the main subject of 'Alfred Russel Wallace: A Life'? A: The book is a biography of Alfred Russel Wallace, detailing his life as a naturalist and his contributions to the theory of natural selection, including his correspondence with Charles Darwin.
- Q: Who is the author of this biography? A: The biography is authored by Peter Raby.
- Q: What is the publication date of the book? A: The book was published on August 1, 2001.
- Q: How many pages does this book have? A: The book contains 352 pages.
- Q: What condition is the book in? A: The book is listed as 'Used Book in Good Condition'.
- Q: What type of binding does the book have? A: The book is bound in hardcover.
- Q: Is this the first edition of the book? A: Yes, this is the first edition of 'Alfred Russel Wallace: A Life'.
- Q: What topics are covered in the biography? A: The biography covers Wallace's travels, scientific discoveries, his relationship with Darwin, and his contributions to biogeography and natural selection.
- Q: Can this book be a good resource for studying the history of science? A: Yes, it provides a detailed account of Wallace's impact on science and highlights his significance as a thinker of the nineteenth century.
- Q: Does the book include any personal correspondence? A: Yes, the biography draws extensively on Wallace's correspondence, offering insights into his thoughts and relationships.