Wallace's interest in natural history began as an apprentice surveyor. His scientific exploration was inspired by a speculative and philosophical book, 'Vestiges of the Natural History of Creation,' by Robert Chambers, who published anonymously in 1844 to avoid controversy. Although controversial, 'Vestiges' was very popular in Victorian society just awakening to natural diversity in the world.
Eager to investigate the origin of species, Wallace left for South America in 1848 with fellow beetle enthusiast, Henry Walter Bates, but they split up several months later to explore different regions.
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In 1852, Wallace's return ship to Britain caught fire, sinking thousands of specimens. He escaped with a few notebooks, a disgruntled parrot, specimens sent ahead to Europe, and insurance money.
Undaunted, Wallace applied to The Royal Geographical Society in 1853 for passage to Singapore to explore the natural history and geography of the Malay Archipelago. This was granted because he had established his name as a surveyor with his map of the Rio Negro and its tributaries. |