One of the most distinguished scientists ever to live in Croydon has been immortalised in a special set of Royal Mail stamps.

Alfred Russel Wallace co-authored one of the most groundbreaking scientific theories ever produced - the theory of evolution by natural selection - with legendary English naturalist Charles Darwin.

The former member of the Croydon Natural History and Scientific Society(CNHSS) features on a first class stamp celebrating the 350th anniversary of the Royal Society.

After travelling extensively through South America, Malaysia and Indonesia Wallace returned to Croydon to chronicle his discoveries, which included his namesake Wallace’s Flying Frog.

Paul Sowan, vice president of the CNHSS, said: “We’re very proud of him as a member of the natural history society, especially because quite apart from his scientific work he had a social conscience.

“He made tremendous, but unsuccessful, efforts to get women allowed into our meetings. They’re allowed in now of course, we let ladies in about 1900.

“He collected a huge amount of stuff on his travels to pay for his research, as he wasn’t being funded by a university or research council - he was very much on his own.

“A lot of it is in the Natural History Museum.”

Wallace was elected to the Royal Society, the country’s premier scientific academy and learned society, and won the group’s Royal Medal in 1866.

The commemorative stamps are available online at royalmail.com/portal/stamps.