Radical by Nature

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Alfred Russel Wallace (1823-1913) was a renowned naturalist, explorer, and co-discoverer of natural selection alongside Darwin. He collected thousands of new species and authored best-selling works. Despite his prominence, Wallace faded into obscurity in the 20th century, overshadowed by Darwin. However, the 2013 centennial of his death sparked renewed interest, and the upcoming 2023 bicentennial of his birth is expected to further revive his legacy. In this new biography, James Costa presents a chronological narrative of Wallace's life, intertwining significant events with the evolution of his thoughts. A focal point is Wallace's eight-year odyssey in the Malay Archipelago, which he regarded as the "central and controlling incident" of his life and pivotal for modern evolution and biogeography. Costa also highlights Wallace's correspondence with Darwin, showcasing their friendship and Wallace's support for Darwin's achievements. In his later years, Wallace became involved in the spiritualist movement and advocated for various social causes, including improved working conditions, land preservation, public education reform, and women's legal rights. Ultimately, Costa emphasizes that understanding Wallace requires recognizing his openness to novel and radical ideas in both scientific and social contexts.