Ɛpsilon

WCP4145

Letter (WCP4145.4163)

[1]

The Dell, Grays, Essex.

Jan. 15th. 1874

Dear Mr. Galton1

Allow me to ask your support to the application of Mr. W. F. Kirby2 for the post of Librarian to the Royal Geographical Society. From personal knowledge I believe him to be thoroughly well qualified. He has compiled and published a catalogue (of Lepidoptera) which is a marvel of labour & research, and he is besides a good writer and thoroughly well [2] able to undertake Editorial work if required.

His manners may not be at first prepossessing, because he has a slight impediment in his speech; but I would not recommend him if I did not believe him to a thoroughly good worker.

Believe me | yours very faithfully | Alfred R. Wallace [signature]

F. Galton Esq.

1
Galton, Francis (1822-1911). British biostatistician, polymath and founder of eugenics. One of the key figures in 19th Century research into heredity. Half-cousin of Charles Darwin.
2
Kirby, William Forsell (1844-1912). British entomologist and folklorist. Staff member at British Museum (Natural History) in charge on Lepidoptera.

Editorial information

Status: Edited (but not proofed) transcription [Letter (WCP4145.4163)]

For more information about the transcriptions and metadata, see https://wallaceletters.myspecies.info/content/epsilon

Revision history

Transcribed by Campbell, John [2012-08-15] Transcription checked by Lucas, Paula [2019-12-20] Transcription checked by Chua, Christine [2026-04-18]

Please cite as “WCP4145,” in Beccaloni, G. W. (ed.), Ɛpsilon: The Alfred Russel Wallace Collection accessed on 5 June 2025, https://epsilon.ac.uk/view/wallace/letters/WCP4145