Alfred Russel Wallace Statue – Greater London, England - Atlas Obscura
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Greater London, England

Alfred Russel Wallace Statue

A tribute to an explorer and naturalist often overlooked by history.  

Alfred Russell Wallace Statue Matt Brown
More butterflies collected by Alfred Russell Wallace.
A surviving notebook of Wallace.
Alfred Russell Wallace Statue
A rather sinister Orangutan specimen collected by Wallace, at the museum.
Close-up of Wallace's Orangutan specimen Monsieur Mictlan (Atlas Obscura User)
Alfred Russell Wallace Statue Monsieur Mictlan (Atlas Obscura User)
The rather "Don Quixote" looking statue of Wallace. Monsieur Mictlan (Atlas Obscura User)
Portrait painting of Alfred Russell Wallace at the museum. Monsieur Mictlan (Atlas Obscura User)
Butterfly specimens collected by Wallace at the museum.
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A statue dedicated to an intrepid adventurer, explorer, and naturalist sits on the grounds of the Natural History Museum of London. Alfred Russel Wallace is most known for developing a theory of evolution by natural selection—independent of Charles Darwin. Although he is often forgotten in the annals of science history, Wallace played a major role in how we view evolution. 

Along with the statue, several historic artifacts associated with Wallace may be seen in the museum. Butterfly specimens collected by Wallace during his expeditions to the Amazon and the Malay archipelago are on display in the Treasures Gallery. Additionally, a taxidermy specimen of an orangutan, also collected by the scientist, and  Wallace’s notebook from his time in Brazil can be seen in the cabinet of curiosity on the third floor.

Know Before You Go

The Natural History Museum is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5:50 p.m. and entrance is free. A number of insect and bird specimens collected by Alfred Russell Wallace during his expeditions to the Amazon and the Malay archipelago are on display in the Treasures Gallery at the Museum.

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