WCP5592

[1]

THE ROYAL SOCIETY,

Burlington House, London, W.

15^th Nov[embe]^r. 1913

Dear Mr. Asquith

A number of Fellows of the Royal Society have desired me to approach you and represent their earnest hope that the Pension of £200 on the Civil List, granted to the late Alfred Russel Wallace, may be continued to his widow and children, who otherwise will be reduced to poverty.

The widow is 65 years of age, and suffers so much from paralysis as to be hardly able to walk. As her ailment will inevitably increase, she will probably before long need to have a nurse constantly in attendance. She has one son who was an electrical engineer, but is now in delicate health, and has had [2]

three time to be placed in a sanatorium. He is at present unable to do anything for the support of the family. There is one daughter who earns a little by teaching a few village children in the house. So far as I have been

able to ascertain the whole annual income on which the family can rely is about £100.

If the pension were continued they could go on living in the house where they have been for some years, and which is their own property. but it is in great need of repair. If the Pension is not continued, they will have to remove into a smaller dwelling, and will find great difficulty in meeting the expense of putting their present house in a fit condition for letting or for sale.

Considering the debt which the world owes to Wallace for his epoch-making scientific [3] work, it would be a reproach to the country if his family were allowed to sink into penury. It is suggested that it would be fitting recognition of his services if his Pension were continued, so as to allow his family to remain in the position in which he left them.

Trusting that you may be able to give this suggestion your favourable consideration.

I remain | Dear Mr. Asquith | Yours very truly | Arch[ibald]. Geikie [signature]

The Right Honourable

H. H. Asquith

P.C.