The article is devoted to the formation of the scientific worldview of A. R. Wallace – an outstanding English naturalist, traveler, co-author and follower of the teachings of C. Darwin. Together with Darwin, he developed the theory of natural selection, but unconditionally recognized the priority of C. Darwin. Traveling through the islands of the Malay Archipelago, he became convinced of the regularities of the distribution of organisms as a result of the activity of natural election. He specified the concept of «centers of origin of animals», believing that the beginning of the existence of each species of animals coincides with the space, time and life of a previously existing species. A. Wallace did not cease to develop the issue of the evolution of the organic world in the light of the theory of natural selection. The scientist set out his views in the great work Darwinism. In this work, A. Wallace clearly and simply examines the most difficult topics, polemicizes with the followers of Lamarck and sets out the points of his disagreement with C. Darwin.

After all, it is known that he negatively treated the principle of sexual selection proposed by Darwin and did not recognize the inheritance of acquired characteristics. In fact, the work Darwinism concludes Wallace great and original works on natural science, with which he glorified his name in science. The works of the last two decades of his life are in the nature of more philosophical and social treatises. They manifested his peculiar worldview. Although when processing the collections, A. Wallace had to often visit London to work in libraries and museums, communicate with advanced scientists, he could not live in London. A born provincial, he had to settle closer to nature. The scientific works of A. Wallace raised many topical problems and outlined ways to solve them in the future. The combination of deep knowledge in various branches of science with the history of their development led to the formation of A. Wallace own views on science as a specific natural environment inherent in man.

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