Alfred Russel Wallace

Alfred Russel Wallace was a 19th-century naturalist and explorer, best known for independently developing the theory of evolution by natural selection alongside Charles Darwin. He conducted extensive research in the Amazon rainforest and the Malay Archipelago, collecting specimens that contributed to our understanding of biodiversity. Wallace's observations about the distribution of species led to his formulation of important ecological principles. He is also recognized for his contributions to biogeography and for advocating social and environmental reform, emphasizing the interplay between nature and human society. Wallace's work remains foundational in the fields of biology and ecology.