The Darwin–Wallace Dispute Over Evolutionary Priority: Hidden Cooperation and Tension in the History of Science

Was the theory of evolution solely Darwin’s idea? In reality, there was another figure who came up with a similar idea around the same time. His name was Alfred Russel Wallace.

Hello! I’m someone who enjoys reading about the history of science, especially old biology texts. Among them, the story of Darwin and Wallace has always fascinated me. We usually remember Charles Darwin as the father of evolution, but in fact, Alfred Russel Wallace also proposed the theory of evolution by natural selection at nearly the same time. There was certainly some tension between the two, but instead of competition, the course of history unfolded as a surprising story of cooperation. Today, I’d like to take a look at this fascinating ‘priority dispute in the history of science’ with you.

Table of Contents

1. Darwin’s Long Silence and Preparation 2. A Letter from the Moluccas 3. July 1, 1858 – The Day of Joint Presentation 4. What Is Scientific Priority? 5. Collaboration or Competition? The Relationship Between the Two 6. The Lesson of This Dispute Today

1. Darwin's Long Silence and Preparation

Charles Darwin began formulating the theory of evolution by natural selection after his voyage on the HMS Beagle in 1831. However, it took nearly 20 years for him to publicly share this revolutionary idea. He was concerned that his theory would provoke religious and societal backlash, so he spent years gradually collecting evidence and preparing carefully.

Darwin found clues to evolution in various plants and animals, particularly the finches of the Galápagos Islands. But before he could unveil his theory to the world, a single letter urged him into action.

2. A Letter from the Moluccas

In 1858, Alfred Russel Wallace, while suffering from illness in the Moluccas, had an epiphany about the principle of evolution. He summarized the concept of natural selection in an essay and sent it to Darwin by mail. Upon reading it, Darwin was stunned. The content of the letter mirrored the structure and conclusions of the theory he had been developing for decades.

Content	Significance
Wallace's essay on natural selection	Had nearly identical structure and conclusions to Darwin's theory
Darwin's reaction	Felt a deep conflict, fearing his lifelong work had been preempted
Subsequent action	Joint presentation proposed by Lyell and Hooker

3. July 1, 1858 – The Day of Joint Presentation

Ultimately, the theories of the two men were jointly presented on July 1, 1858, at the Linnean Society of London. The event was arranged by Lyell and Hooker. Neither Darwin nor Wallace attended, but their respective documents were read aloud. This day remains a prime example of “fair priority coordination” in the history of evolution.

• Darwin: Submitted a summary of his past research records
• Wallace: His original essay from the Moluccas was read
• Academic response: Initially muted, but later gained explosive attention

4. What Is Scientific Priority?

In the world of science, "who discovered it first" holds meaning beyond mere honor. It can be seen as a prototype of intellectual property and can influence the level of support for future research and how one is evaluated historically. The case of Darwin and Wallace illustrates the boundaries of the concept of priority and academic ethics.

Interestingly, both men maintained mutual respect, and the mediation by Lyell and Hooker provided a clever solution in the form of a “conflict-free joint presentation.” This is regarded as a rare and ideal resolution even in the scientific community.

5. Collaboration or Competition? The Relationship Between the Two

The relationship between Darwin and Wallace was closer to collaboration based on mutual respect rather than competition. Wallace acknowledged that his ideas were formulated later than Darwin's, and Darwin continued to acknowledge Wallace’s contributions in his later publications.

Darwin	Wallace
Gained widespread influence through "On the Origin of Species"	Recognized in academia as a co-founder of the theory of evolution
Highly praised Wallace and proposed joint presentation	Recalled Darwin’s response as “a noble and gentlemanly act”
Established himself as the central figure in science and among the public	Defended Darwin and preserved his honor even after his death

6. Lessons from This Dispute Today

Today, science has become even more complex, but the case of Darwin and Wallace still teaches us the importance of collaboration, mediation, and ethics. Their story reminds us how valuable an attitude of collective progress beyond personal achievement is in the history of science.

• Scientific ideas can emerge simultaneously in different places
• An ethical attitude is a choice for the benefit of the whole discipline, not just the individual
• Joint presentations are a great example of balancing competition and cooperation

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q Did Wallace publish the theory of evolution before Darwin?

The official publication was made together. However, Wallace sent a letter first to Darwin outlining the theory, which became the trigger for their joint presentation.

Q Why did Darwin wait 20 years to publish his theory?

He feared backlash from religious circles and society. He chose to wait until he had collected sufficient evidence and could present it carefully.

Q Was Wallace upset with Darwin’s response?

No, he was actually grateful. Since Darwin suggested a fair and honest joint presentation, Wallace referred to him as “a true gentleman.”

Q Did Darwin and Wallace personally attend the Linnean Society presentation?

Neither of them attended. Instead, Lyell and Hooker read their documents aloud and arranged the presentation jointly.

Q Is Wallace still recognized for his contributions today?

Yes, more books, research institutes, and documentaries named after Wallace have emerged recently. He is being re-recognized as a co-founder of the theory of evolution.

Q Did the two maintain a friendly relationship until the end?

Yes, they respected each other's achievements and remained on good terms throughout their lives. Wallace continued to defend Darwin even after his death.

Between Competition and Respect, Walking the Path of Science Together

The story of Darwin and Wallace is not just a tale of the history of evolution. It is a powerful example that cooperation and dignity are possible even amidst intellectual collisions. These two could have competed fiercely, but they chose to recognize each other’s efforts and united under the greater cause of science. There’s still much to learn from this case today. Even if ideas overlap, it’s how you respond that shapes both your legacy and history. Whatever ideas you hold, remember that acting with fairness and respect could very well be the beginning of something truly great.