University Courses Talk by Andrew Berry

Remarkably, what is arguably the simplest and most powerful theory in all of science, the theory of evolution by natural selection, was discovered not once but twice and more or less at the same time.  It was developed completely independently by two Victorian scientists, Charles Darwin and Alfred Russel Wallace.  Today Darwin is famous, the face of evolution, but Wallace is very little known.  This talk, to mark the bicentenary of Wallace's birth, will address three issues. 

1. Why was this long sought theory discovered twice and more or less at the same time?  

2. Who was Wallace, and how did he come to the idea?  

3. Why has Wallace been so comprehensively eclipsed by Darwin in the popular imagination? 

This talk is a celebration of Wallace's life and extraordinary contributions.  He was a visionary scientist, bold adventurer, superb writer, and compassionate campaigner.  He deserves to be readmitted to the pantheon of great evolutionary thinkers.