Correspondence, 1890

The collection consists almost entirely of handwritten, signed letters from Wallace to Cockerell, along with a few postcards. There are also one letter from Wallace's wife, Annie, and four letters (one typewritten) and a postcard from Wallace's son, William, following Wallace's death; and one newspaper clipping. The bulk of the letters are an ongoing one-sided conversation between the two naturalists on their scientific work and theories, beginning with a discussion of Wallace's book, Darwinism, recently published at the beginning of the correspondence. Cockerell had apparently made some suggestions and Wallace wrote back. The letters continue until Wallace's death; Mrs. Wallace died a year later. The clipping is an announcement that the family of Alfred R. Wallace have invited James Marchant to edit a collection of Wallace's letters, requesting that people send in any they may have, and promising their speedy return. One of William Wallace's letters contains his thanks for Cockerell's giving up his own planned memoir in deference to Marchant.