Alfred Russel Wallace (1823–1913) was a British naturalist, explorer, geographer, anthropologist, and biologist, whose work in the field of biogeography proved foundational to the development of evolutionary theory. A contemporary of Charles Darwin, Wallace independently conceived the theory of evolution through natural selection, which was detailed in his seminal work, 'On the Natural Selection' (1858). His extensive fieldwork in the Malay Archipelago led to the publication of 'The Malay Archipelago' (1869), a book that remains one of the most celebrated in the fields of biology and exploration, acting as an engaging account of his eight years of study and travel among the islands. It was here that Wallace identified the faunal divide now termed the Wallace Line, which separates the species of the Oriental region from those of Australasia, underpinning his significant contributions to zoogeography. Wallace's investigative rigor and his varied scientific interests also led him to author 'Contributions to the Theory of Natural Selection' (1870) and 'The Geographical Distribution of Animals' (1876). Noted for his modesty and his scientific approach to seemingly non-scientific subjects, Wallace's legacy extends beyond his biological insights, influencing future generations in matters of science, conservation, and social justice.