" The large gathering included the President, Dr. Dukinfield
H. Scott, distinguished representatives of many scientific Societies and
Universities, the Danish and Swedish Ministers, and a representative
from the German Embassy. Most of the members of Dr. Wallace's and Mr.
Darwin's family were also present.[24] The President opened with some
explanatory observations, and then invited Wallace to come forward in
order to receive the first Darwin-Wallace Medal. In presenting it he
said:
Dr. Alfred Russel Wallace,--We rejoice that we are so happy as to
have with us to-day the survivor of the two great naturalists
whose crowning work we are here to commemorate.
Your brilliant work in natural history and geography, and as one
of the founders of the theory of Evolution by Natural Selection,
is universally honoured and has often received public recognition,
as in the awards of the Darwin and Royal Medals of the Royal
Society, and of our Medal in 1892.
To-day, in asking you to accept the first Darwin-Wallace Medal, we
are offering you of your own, for it is you, equally with your
great colleague, who created the occasion we celebrate.
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