FREE ESSAY ON SIR ISSAC NEWTON

SIR ISSAC NEWTON

Sir Isaac Newton
English mathematician and physicist
Birth December 25, 1642
Death March 20, 1727
Place of Birth Woolsthorpe, England
Known for Inventing, in part, the branch of mathematics now known as calculus
Formulating the three laws of motion, which describe classical mechanics
Proposing the theory of universal gravitation, which explains that all bodies are
affected by the force called gravity
Career 1661 Entered Trinity College, University of Cambridge
1665-1666 Developed what he called the fluxional method (now known as calculus) while
living in seclusion to avoid the plague
1669-1701 Served as Lucasian Professor of Mathematics at the University of Cambridge
1687 Published his seminal work, Philosphiae Naturalis Principia Mathematica
(Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy), which contained his three laws of motion
and the theory of gravitation
1703-1727 Acted as president of the Royal Society, an organization that promotes the
natural sciences
1704 Published Opticks (Optics), describing his theory that white light is a blend of
different colors
Did You Know? Newton was reluctant to share his research with other scientists for fear
they would take credit for his discoveries.
Newton instigated a Royal Society investigation to prove that he invented calculus before
German mathematician Gottfried Wilhelm Liebniz, who had published the method first.
In addition to science, Newton showed an interest in alchemy, mysticism, and theology.
French writer Voltaire first recorded the story that a falling apple gave Newton the
inspiration for his theory of gravitation. Voltaire cited Newton's niece as his source
for the story.
Bibliography
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