FLASHCARDS! Alfred Russel Wallace: The Forgotten Co-Founder of Evolution

In this Flashcard Friday episode of Math, Science, History, host Gabrielle Birchak takes you into the steamy jungles of the 19th-century Malay Archipelago, where a fever-stricken explorer had a revelation that would change biology forever. Meet Alfred Russel Wallace, the naturalist whose fieldwork and tropical travels led to the theory of natural selection, at the same time as Darwin.

From his challenging journey to his humility in the face of discovery, Wallace’s story reminds us that science doesn’t always happen in a lab. It sometimes happens in a mosquito-filled hut, guided by sheer determination and a passion for nature.

Do you know?! 

- How Alfred Russel Wallace independently developed the theory of natural selection during his expedition?

- The significance of the "Wallace Line" and its impact on biogeography?

- Why Wallace’s collaboration with Darwin remains a model of scientific integrity and humility?

Resources:

The Malay Archipelago by Alfred Russel Wallace on Project Gutenberg

Short Documentary on Wallace's Life (NHM London)

Visit us! Explore more on our website: mathsciencehistory.com
To buy my book Hypatia: The Sum of Her Life on Amazon, visit https://a.co/d/g3OuP9h

🌍 Let’s Connect!
Bluesky: .css-j9qmi7{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;font-weight:700;margin-bottom:1rem;margin-top:2.8rem;width:100%;-webkit-box-pack:start;-ms-flex-pack:start;-webkit-justify-content:start;justify-content:start;padding-left:5rem;}@media only screen and (max-width: 599px){.css-j9qmi7{padding-left:0;-webkit-box-pack:center;-ms-flex-pack:center;-webkit-justify-content:center;justify-content:center;}}.css-j9qmi7 svg{fill:#27292D;}.css-j9qmi7 .eagfbvw0{-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;color:#27292D;}

Episode Transcript

(00:01):
Welcome to Flashcard Fridays at Math Science History. I'm your host Gabrielle
Birchak and as we continue on our vacation series we're going to venture
deep into the rainforests of the 19th century with one of the greatest
naturalists you may not know about, Alfred Russel Wallace. So I'm going to talk

(00:22):
about how an expedition and a little fever led to one of the most important
ideas in science. But first a word from our advertisers. So who was Alfred
Russel Wallace? Well he was born in 1823 in Wales and grew up during a time of
dramatic scientific curiosity and change. Unlike some of his contemporaries

(00:43):
Wallace wasn't born into wealth. He trained as a surveyor, worked as a
teacher and supported himself through intense dedication and long grueling
expeditions where he collected specimens for sale. In 1848 driven by a
thirst for adventure and science, Wallace embarked on his first major expedition
to the Amazon Basin. Tragically much of what he collected there was lost when

(01:08):
his ship caught fire on the return voyage. But Wallace didn't let this set
back stop him. Instead it fueled his determination. Just a few years later in
1854 Wallace set out again. This time to the Malay Archipelago, modern-day
Malaysia and Indonesia. An expedition that would last eight years and change the

(01:31):
world forever. While exploring the tropical rainforests of the Malay
Archipelago, Wallace encountered incredible biodiversity. Birds of
paradise, giant butterflies and countless insects and plants. It was a dreamland for
a naturalist who is hungry to understand how such incredible diversity came to be.

(01:55):
In 1858 while on the island of Halmahera, Wallace was struck down by a severe
bout of malaria. As he lay in his hut burning with a fever, a profound idea
crystallized in his mind. Drawing on years of observations, Wallace realized that
species are not fixed. They change over time. He concluded that the mechanism

(02:16):
driving this change was the struggle for existence. Individuals better adapted to
their environment would survive and reproduce, passing on their advantageous
traits. In essence, natural selection. When Wallace recovered enough to write, he
quickly drafted an essay outlining his theory. With no hesitation or ego, he sent

(02:38):
it to Charles Darwin, a fellow naturalist whom he greatly admired, asking for
Darwin's opinion. The result? Darwin, who had been quietly developing a very
similar theory for decades but hesitated to publish, was astonished. Their joint
theories were presented together at the Linnean Society of London in July 1858.

(03:00):
This was a pivotal moment in scientific history and though Darwin would go on to
be far more famous for the idea of evolution by natural selection, Wallace's
insights were absolutely foundational. Wallace's contribution wasn't just his
theory of natural selection. His meticulous work in the Malay archipelago
reshaped how we understand the geographical distribution of species.

(03:24):
Today, we still talk about the Wallace Line, an invisible boundary between Asia
and Australia that separates species of distinctly different origins. On one side,
tigers and elephants. On the other side, kangaroos and cockatoos. Wallace noticed
that animals on islands only a few miles apart could be vastly different, a

(03:47):
groundbreaking observation that supported the idea that species evolved
differently based on their environments. Alfred Russel Wallace continued to have
a fascinating career. He explored the ethics of science, delved into early
theories of ecology, advocated for environmental conservation, and even
explored ideas outside the scientific mainstream like spiritualism. While

(04:12):
Darwin's name became nearly synonymous with evolution, Wallace's contributions
remained vital. In fact, some modern scientists argue that Wallace deserves
even greater recognition as the co-discoverer of one of biology's
greatest principles. Wallace's life reminds us that discoveries don't always

(04:32):
happen in comfortable laboratories or prestigious universities. Sometimes they
emerge from hardship, isolation, and the relentless pursuit of curiosity. So what
can we take away from Alfred Russel Wallace's expedition? Well, great ideas
can arise from great hardships. Wallace's theory of natural selection came during

(04:52):
a time of intense physical suffering and isolation. This reminds us that
perseverance, even under the harshest conditions, can lead to profound
breakthroughs. Also, Wallace's real-world observations, not just reading books, were
critical. Expeditions are powerful classrooms. He noticed patterns across

(05:15):
thousands of miles and dozens of species, teaching us the importance of getting
out in the world to truly understand it. Finally, even though Wallace independently
developed the theory of natural selection, he generously shared it with
Darwin, leading to a partnership that forever changed science. Science is a

(05:37):
collaboration. Wallace's humility and commitment to advancing knowledge over
personal fame is a lesson for us all. So the next time you're sweating through a
tough project, hiking through an unknown territory, or simply feeling stuck,
remember Alfred Russel Wallace, the self-taught naturalist who, through a

(05:57):
combination of exploration, careful observation, and a fever, unlocked one of
nature's greatest secrets. Thank you for joining me at Flashcard Fridays here at
Math, Science, History. I'm Gabrielle Birchak, and if you enjoyed this episode,
don't forget to subscribe and rate the show. Oh, and share this with a few lovers
of discovery. And until next time, carpe diem!

(06:23):
you