Natural History Heroes

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Natural History Heroes: Alfred Russel Wallace

Alfred Russel Wallace

BBC Radio 4 Extra - Natural History Heroes, Alfred Russel WallaceSearch BBC

George Beccaloni chooses naturalist Alfred Russel Wallace as his Natural History Hero.

Entomologist George Beccaloni explores the life of explorer and naturalist, Alfred Russel Wallace. From October 2015.

Alfred Russel Wallace is best known as the co-publisher of the theory of evolution by Natural Selection along with Charles Darwin. Yet this most famous of his achievements should not eclipse his equally important contributions to science. The ‘father’ of the study of evolutionary biogeography - the Wallace line is the place where the biogeography of Asia becomes distinct from Australia. 

Well known in his time as an explorer, collector, naturalist, geographer, anthropologist and political commentator Wallace was above all driven by a wonder and enchantment for the natural world that would be considered childlike if it weren’t for the hugely important contribution he made to further our understanding of the natural world. 

Entomologist George Beccaloni explains why Alfred Russel Wallace is his Natural History Hero.
 
Produced by Ellie Sans

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 2015.

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