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An Elusive Victorian: The Evolution of Alfred Russel Wallace
Codiscoverer of the theory of evolution by natural selection, Alfred Russel Wallace should be recognized as one of the titans of Victorian science. Instead he has long been relegated to a secondary place behind Darwin. Worse, many scholars have overlooked or even mocked his significant contributions to other aspects of Victorian culture. With An Elusive Victorian , Martin Fichman provides the first comprehensive analytical study of Wallace's life and controversial intellectual career.
Fichman examines not only Wallace's scientific work as an evolutionary theorist and field naturalist but also his philosophical concerns, his involvement with theism, and his commitment to land nationalization and other sociopolitical reforms such as women's rights. As Fichman shows, Wallace worked throughout his life to integrate these humanistic and scientific interests. His the development of an evolutionary cosmology, a unified vision of humanity's place in nature and society that he hoped would ensure the dignity of all individuals.
To reveal the many aspects of this compelling figure, Fichman not only reexamines Wallace's published works, but also probes the contents of his lesser known writings, unpublished correspondence, and copious annotations in books from his personal library. Rather than consider Wallace's science as distinct from his sociopolitical commitments, An Elusive Victorian assumes a mutually beneficial relationship between the two, one which shaped Wallace into one of the most memorable characters of his time. Fully situating Wallace's wide-ranging work in its historical and cultural context, Fichman's innovative and insightful account will interest historians of science, religion, and Victorian culture as well as biologists.
Fichman examines not only Wallace's scientific work as an evolutionary theorist and field naturalist but also his philosophical concerns, his involvement with theism, and his commitment to land nationalization and other sociopolitical reforms such as women's rights. As Fichman shows, Wallace worked throughout his life to integrate these humanistic and scientific interests. His the development of an evolutionary cosmology, a unified vision of humanity's place in nature and society that he hoped would ensure the dignity of all individuals.
To reveal the many aspects of this compelling figure, Fichman not only reexamines Wallace's published works, but also probes the contents of his lesser known writings, unpublished correspondence, and copious annotations in books from his personal library. Rather than consider Wallace's science as distinct from his sociopolitical commitments, An Elusive Victorian assumes a mutually beneficial relationship between the two, one which shaped Wallace into one of the most memorable characters of his time. Fully situating Wallace's wide-ranging work in its historical and cultural context, Fichman's innovative and insightful account will interest historians of science, religion, and Victorian culture as well as biologists.
382 pages, Hardcover
First published February 1, 2004
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May 17, 2021
One caveat: I skimmed this book rather than properly reading it, but as there are no reviews yet I think I ought to leave one.
A very thorough and detailed review of Alfred Russel Wallace’s life, work, and social milieu, in six chapters. One addresses his evolutionary philosophy; another is focused on his spiritualist beliefs; another on his socialist ideology; and so on. Each chapter is subdivided into many short sections, ranging from 1-8 pages or so, making it an easy book to pick up and put back down again. It also does not have to be read in order or in its entirety; one can go to just the chapter or section that interests them. (There are citations at the end of each chapter—Handy for photocopying!) The writing is about as dry as you would expect in an academic review of a Victorian man’s life and philosophies, which is to say, it’s quite readable but not especially beautiful. Will be interesting to serious fans of the history and development of evolutionary thought, and maybe some Victoriana nuts.
A very thorough and detailed review of Alfred Russel Wallace’s life, work, and social milieu, in six chapters. One addresses his evolutionary philosophy; another is focused on his spiritualist beliefs; another on his socialist ideology; and so on. Each chapter is subdivided into many short sections, ranging from 1-8 pages or so, making it an easy book to pick up and put back down again. It also does not have to be read in order or in its entirety; one can go to just the chapter or section that interests them. (There are citations at the end of each chapter—Handy for photocopying!) The writing is about as dry as you would expect in an academic review of a Victorian man’s life and philosophies, which is to say, it’s quite readable but not especially beautiful. Will be interesting to serious fans of the history and development of evolutionary thought, and maybe some Victoriana nuts.
Displaying 1 of 1 review