WP - The Alfred Russel Wallace Correspondence Project

WP13
Hampden, J, papers re Flat Earth controversy
1871-1913
Printed papers, pamphlets and correspondence relating to Alfred Russel Wallace's acceptance of
John Hampden's challenge in 1870 to prove the curvature of the earth by demonstrating the
convexity of a body water for a wager and subsequent dispute over the result.
Name: Hampden, John, fl 1870
Place: Downham Market Norfolk England
See also Letter from Alfred Russel Wallace to his wife Annie from Washington DC 29 Jan 1887
(WP1/17/17)
WP13/1 Print and correspondence re John Hampden ‘Flat Earth’
controversy
Small cardboard folder apparently made from the cover of a book
or notebook from which the original pages have been removed.
Two titles on the spine in ink in Alfred Russel Wallace's and an
unknown hand, obscured by torn paper: ''Bates on Delta of
Amazon. Wall. on R Wagr . . .'' (remainder torn away) and, upside
down relative to this and deleted, ''Asa Gray. Review of D...''
(remainder torn away). Titled on front cover in in in Alfred Russel
Wallace's hand, over illegible text in blue pencil: ''Papers and
Pamphlets by Carpenter and Parallax - also Hampden - Flat-Earth
Man!''
Contents: Printed papers and pamphlets including material on
Alfred Russel Wallace's acceptance of John Hampden's challenge
to demonstrate the curvature of the earth and subsequent dispute.
Name: Wallace, Alfred Russel, 1823-1913
Hampden, John
Cockerell, Theodore Dru Allison, 1866-1948
Carpenter, William
Birmingham, W. Cornish (''Parallax''), fl 1849
WP13/1/1 Print and correspondence re John Hampden ‘Flat Earth’
controversy
Printed pamphlet titled ''Water, not convex: The Earth not a
Globe! Demonstrated by Alfred R. Wallace Esq. on the 5th of
March, 1870, by the old Bedford canal, near Downham Market,
Norfolk.'' Written and published by William Carpenter, London
1871. 31 pages.
Name: Carpenter, William
Wallace, Alfred Russel, 1823-1913
Hampden, John
Place: Norfolk England
WP13/1/2 Print and correspondence re John Hampden ‘Flat Earth’
controversy
Printed pamphlet by Alfred Russel Wallace titled ''Reply to Mr.
326
1871-1913
1871
1871.11.00-
1871
WP13