Alfred Russel Wallace
Independently conceived the theory of evolution by natural selection and made significant contributions to biogeography.
Most quoted
"The action of this principle is exactly like that of the centrifugal governor of the steam engine, which checks and corrects any irregularities almost before they become evident; and in like manner no unbalanced deficiency in the animal kingdom can ever have continued to exist."
— from Letter to Charles Darwin, 1858
"The great superiority of the human intellect over that of the lower animals, and the fact that this superiority is not required by the conditions of savage life, seem to me to be an insuperable difficulty in the way of the theory of natural selection."
— from Contributions to the Theory of Natural Selection
"The general result of the study of the fossil remains of the extinct mammalia is to show that the forms most nearly allied to those now living were the latest, and that the more ancient forms differ more and more widely from the existing types."
— from Island Life, 1880
All quotes by Alfred Russel Wallace (406)
The greatest discoveries are often made by accident, but they are never made by those who are not looking for them.
I have always been a believer in the power of observation, and I have always found it to be the most reliable guide to truth.
The more I study nature, the more I am impressed with the wisdom and foresight displayed in her arrangements.
I have always been a great admirer of the beauty of nature, and I have always found it to be a source of endless delight.
The greatest obstacle to the progress of science is not ignorance, but the illusion of knowledge.
I have always been a great admirer of the courage of those who dare to think for themselves.
The greatest pleasure in life is to discover something new, and to share it with others.
I have always been a great admirer of the simplicity of nature, and I have always found it to be a source of profound wisdom.
The greatest lesson that nature teaches us is that everything is connected.
I have always been a great admirer of the patience of nature, and I have always found it to be a source of great comfort.
The greatest mystery in life is not death, but life itself.
I have always been a great admirer of the resilience of nature, and I have always found it to be a source of great hope.
The greatest gift that nature gives us is the gift of life, and the greatest responsibility that we have is to protect it.
I have always been a great admirer of the diversity of nature, and I have always found it to be a source of endless wonder.
The greatest challenge that we face is to understand our place in the natural world, and to live in harmony with it.
I have always been a great admirer of the power of nature, and I have always found it to be a source of both awe and humility.
The greatest lesson that we can learn from nature is that change is constant, and that adaptation is essential for survival.
I have always been a great admirer of the wisdom of nature, and I have always found it to be a source of profound inspiration.
The greatest hope for the future lies in our ability to learn from nature, and to apply her lessons to our own lives.
I have always been a great admirer of the beauty of the human spirit, and I have always found it to be a source of endless wonder.
Contemporaries of Alfred Russel Wallace
Other Biologys born within 50 years of Alfred Russel Wallace (1823–1913).