Returning to Britain in 1859 after eleven years in the Amazon basin, Henry Walter Bates brought back over 14,712 species of insects, of which 8,000 were new to science. This massive collection provided the empirical foundation for his later scientific breakthrough regarding how certain animal species evolved to mimic the appearance of others to ensure their survival.
Early Development and Interests
Born in 1825 in Leicester, Bates was raised in a literate middle-class environment. By age 13, he began an apprenticeship at a hosiery manufacturer, but he dedicated his spare time to the Mechanics' Institute library and collecting beetles in Charnwood Forest. In 1843, he published his first entomological paper in the journal Zoologist, marking the start of his formal engagement with natural science.
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In 1848, Bates and Alfred Russel Wallace departed Liverpool for South America. Upon arriving in Pará, the pair spent one year collecting together before splitting up to cover more territory. Bates spent over four years based in Tefé, exploring the Upper Amazon and Solimões regions. To avoid the risk of losing his findings at sea, he shipped his materials back to London in three separate consignments.
Contribution to Evolutionary Biology
Bates documented his findings in the 1863 publication, The Naturalist on the River Amazons. His study of Heliconidae butterflies led him to describe the phenomenon now known as Batesian mimicry, where a palatable species adopts the warning colors of a noxious species to deter predators. This observation solidified his status as a key supporter of evolutionary theory alongside Darwin, Wallace, and Thomas Henry Huxley.
Professional Life and Legacy
Following his return, Bates married Sarah Ann Mason in 1863 and began a long tenure as assistant secretary at the Royal Geographical Society. He served twice as president of the Royal Entomological Society and earned fellowships at the Geological Society of London, the Linnean Society of London, and the Royal Society. He died in 1892 in London and is buried at East Finchley Cemetery.
Fast facts
- Born: 1825, Leicester
- Died: 1892, London
- Expedition start: 1848
- Key Publication: The Naturalist on the River Amazons (1863)
- Professional society leadership: President of the Royal Entomological Society (1868-1869, 1878)
- Fellowships held: Royal Society, Geological Society, Linnean Society
- Citizenship: United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland
- Burial location: East Finchley Cemetery
Questions readers ask
What is Batesian mimicry?
It is a scientific term for when a harmless, palatable species evolves to resemble a dangerous or distasteful species to avoid being eaten by predators.
Why was his Amazon expedition considered successful?
He returned with over 14,000 biological specimens, a significant portion of which were previously unknown to science, and published a landmark account of Amazonian natural history.
Achievements
- Fellow of the Royal Society
- Fellow of the Geological Society of London
- Fellow of the Linnean Society of London
- Recorded as explorer, lepidopterist and zoologist