Final answer:
Alfred Russel Wallace independently developed a theory of evolution by natural selection, similar to Charles Darwin's. Wallace's theory confirmed Darwin's ideas, and both were influenced by their unique travel experiences and previous scientific ideas.
Step-by-step explanation:
Alfred Russel Wallace and Evolutionary Theory
Alongside Charles Darwin, Alfred Russel Wallace is given credit for independently conceiving the theory of evolution by natural selection. Although Wallace's theory was developed around the same time as Darwin's, he wasn't as celebrated. Their parallel development of the idea showcases that great minds often arrive at similar conclusions. Darwin and Wallace shared their findings, with Wallace's paper on evolution serving to confirm what Darwin had already theorized, which is known as the theory of natural selection.
Wallace's insights were based on his studies during his travels through the Malay Archipelago, whereas Darwin formed his ideas from his observations in the Galápagos. Both naturalists presented a profound shift in understanding that species evolve over time through natural processes. Furthermore, Darwin was influenced by other early thinkers such as Lamarck, Lyell, and Malthus, and these influences along with Wallace's work shaped Darwin's ideas about evolution and natural selection.