By Anna Edwards

anna.edwards@essnmedia.co.uk

Think of the theory of evolution and one name comes to mind - that of Charles Darwin.

This is perhaps doing a disservice to a former Croydon resident who was championing the same ideas at the same time.

Alfred Russel Wallace, a former member of Croydon Natural History and Scientific Society (CNHSS), published a joint paper about the theory with Darwin.

But he remained in Darwin's shadow - until now, as he is being immortalised, along with nine other renowned scientists, on a set of Royal Mail stamps to celebrate the 350th anniversary of the Royal Society.

Paul Sowan, vice president of CNHSS, says there is pride in the group that Wallace's work is being recognised.

"He was a very active member," he explained.

"He brought displays to meetings of the birds that he had shot while travelling all around the world, and a lot of these are exhibited in the Natural History Museum.

"He took part in a lot of debates here too - most famously arguing that women should be allowed to attend our meetings, but other members wouldn't have it unfortunately."

Wallace, who was considered the 19th century's leading expert on the geographical distribution of animal species, is the first former Croydon scientist to ever appear on a stamp.

He lived in Duppas Hill Lane, Croydon, and St Peter's Road, South Croydon, in the 1800s.

Mr Sowan admits the significance of Wallace's work is often overlooked.

He was travelling in 1858 when he hit upon the idea of evolution through natural selection, and wrote to Darwin.

"He put two and two together and realised there was a connection between the species," Mr Sowan said.

"Darwin had spent years gathering research and evidence to support his theory of evolution, and for Wallace it just clicked that species could evolve into others.

"He didn't realise all the hoo-hah he had created, Darwin was very perplexed that Wallace had just come up with the idea.

"I imagine he was a bit put out that he had this monumental volume of evidence, and someone else had come up with the idea before him."

The scientists published their joint paper about the theory to a small group of scientists in 1858.

But a year later Darwin published his work The Origin of Species, which sparked controversy and acclaim, and overshadowed Wallace's previous work.

There was no bitterness, though, according to Mr Sowan that Darwin ultimately earned the credit for the theory.

"Wallace was always very honourable about it afterwards, referring to the theory as Darwinism, even though he had realised it at around the same time," he explained.

"We're all very proud of him and we're glad he is being rightly recognised."