BBC News – Why does Charles Darwin eclipse Alfred Russel Wallace?

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BBC News – Why does Charles Darwin eclipse Alfred Russel Wallace?.

“The theory of evolution by natural selection was published jointly between Darwin and Monmouthshire-born Alfred Russel Wallace, whose interest in natural history developed when he moved to Neath and worked as a land surveyor with his brother.

But while today Darwin is a household name synonymous with the theory, Wallace struggles to gain anywhere near the recognition of his friend.

This is illustrated by an appeal this year to raise funds for a life-sized bronze statue to honour Wallace – it only reached half of its £50,000 target.

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There were very long, glowing obituaries in all the world’s papers from Bombay to Boston saying he was the last of the great Victorians”

Dr George BeccaloniWallace expert

Wallace expert Dr George Beccaloni, who is a curator at the Natural History Museum where the statue would stand, said: “We have enough money to pay for a torso and arms at the moment.

“There are hundreds of Darwin statues and busts but there’s not even a bust of Wallace.

“There’s a side-profile roundel on the wall at Westminster Abbey – not far from Darwin’s grave. There’s not a lot else.”

Interestingly, Wallace was not overlooked during his lifetime and was awarded the Order of Merit, the highest honour that could be given by the British monarch to a civilian.”