Isaac Newton's Life (1643-1727)
Isaac Newton was born on 4 January 1643 in Woolsthorpe, Lincolnshire, England. He died on 31 March 1727 in London, England and was buried in Westminster Abbey.
Ever since, Newton was a young boy, he was more interested in creating mechanical devices rather than studying. Newton attended school as an adequate student. At the age of 12, Newton had been enrolled at King's School in Gratham where he bunked with a local apothecary and was introduced to the fascinating world of physics. At some point, his mother wanted to take him out of school to help with the farm, however, Newton took no interest and returned to school to complete basic education.
Seeing, Newton's intellectual abilities, Newton's uncle convinced Newton's mother to enter him into a University. Newton then enrolled in a program similar to work study in 1661. When Newton arrived in Cambridge, the 17th Century Scientific Revolution was already in full force. He enrolled in Trinity College, Cambridge. During his first three years in Cambridge, Newton was taught the standard curriculum, but took fascination in advanced science. He spent much of his time at Cambridge, becoming a professor of mathematics and a member of the Royal Society (a group of scientists in England) and was eventually elected to represent Cambridge University in the parliament. It was until the black plague (1665-1667), that Newton had to leave Cambridge; this is when he came up with his theories on calculus, gravity and his laws of motion. In 1665, Newton received his Bachelor of Arts degree, as Cambridge reopens in 1667, Newton returns to study for his masters degree.
In 1669, Newton became a professor in Mathematics. As a professor, he was able to deliver a course of lectures which he delivered his work on optics. In 1668, Newton built a telescope known as the Newtonian telescope in order to prove his theory of colour. Later in 1672, Newton had his first published work on lights, optics and color, however his publication did not please everyone at the Royal Society. Unable to take the criticism, Newton went on hiatus for 6 years, the time in which he further developed his theory of gravity. He expanded Hooke's theory, however the publication of his book, he was charged with plagiarism, however the case was overruled as Hooke only theorized the theory while the Principia proved it. Newton was a physicist, mathematician, astronomer, natural philosopher, alchemist and theologian.
Newton did not receive any awards, however, some of Newton's Key Achievements are calculus, the theory of universal gravitation, the three laws of motions and the visible spectrum of light.
ome of his notable honors are:
Isaac Newton was a very religious man who wrote more words on religion than he did science; Newton was an unorthodox Christian. He tried to fuse his religion with his experiments - he would come home and read the bible, he practiced his religion at night or while doing his experiments. At some point, Newton moved away from the orthodox thinking of the Church of England and denied the existence of the Trinity that was believed by all orthodox Catholics and Protestants, therefore Newton was characterized as anti trinitarian. However, there were sever legal and social penalties for holding such beliefs, thus, he was forced to keep quiet about his beliefs and were not released until after his death.
Although it was generally agreed that he was a genius, Newton was unapproachable and possessed a bad disposition in life. He was deeply absorbed in his work, sometimes forgetting to eat or teach his classes, he would have a disheveled appearance and was hardly sleeping. It was said that even his scientific colleagues could hardly stand to be around him at times. Newton also hadn't been seen laughing heartily, he would smile but he never laughed out-loud. Newton was highly competitive, temperamental and sometimes ruthless, therefore he did not sit well with his fellow scientists. His professional life, was full of challenges as he had many critics and competitors throughout his career.
Ever since, Newton was a young boy, he was more interested in creating mechanical devices rather than studying. Newton attended school as an adequate student. At the age of 12, Newton had been enrolled at King's School in Gratham where he bunked with a local apothecary and was introduced to the fascinating world of physics. At some point, his mother wanted to take him out of school to help with the farm, however, Newton took no interest and returned to school to complete basic education.
Seeing, Newton's intellectual abilities, Newton's uncle convinced Newton's mother to enter him into a University. Newton then enrolled in a program similar to work study in 1661. When Newton arrived in Cambridge, the 17th Century Scientific Revolution was already in full force. He enrolled in Trinity College, Cambridge. During his first three years in Cambridge, Newton was taught the standard curriculum, but took fascination in advanced science. He spent much of his time at Cambridge, becoming a professor of mathematics and a member of the Royal Society (a group of scientists in England) and was eventually elected to represent Cambridge University in the parliament. It was until the black plague (1665-1667), that Newton had to leave Cambridge; this is when he came up with his theories on calculus, gravity and his laws of motion. In 1665, Newton received his Bachelor of Arts degree, as Cambridge reopens in 1667, Newton returns to study for his masters degree.
In 1669, Newton became a professor in Mathematics. As a professor, he was able to deliver a course of lectures which he delivered his work on optics. In 1668, Newton built a telescope known as the Newtonian telescope in order to prove his theory of colour. Later in 1672, Newton had his first published work on lights, optics and color, however his publication did not please everyone at the Royal Society. Unable to take the criticism, Newton went on hiatus for 6 years, the time in which he further developed his theory of gravity. He expanded Hooke's theory, however the publication of his book, he was charged with plagiarism, however the case was overruled as Hooke only theorized the theory while the Principia proved it. Newton was a physicist, mathematician, astronomer, natural philosopher, alchemist and theologian.
Newton did not receive any awards, however, some of Newton's Key Achievements are calculus, the theory of universal gravitation, the three laws of motions and the visible spectrum of light.
ome of his notable honors are:
- He became Lucasian Professor of mathematics in October 1969.
- Newton was appointed as the Fellow of the Royal Society of London on 11 January, 1672.
- He was also named an associate of French Academy of Science
- He accepted the master of Mint on 3 February, 1700.
- On 30 November, 1703, he became the President of Royal Society.
- Newton became the first knighted scientist. He was knighted on 16 April, 1705 by Queen Anne in Cambridge. He wasn't knighted for his scientific achievements but rather for his dedicated service for the Mint and his political activities.
Isaac Newton was a very religious man who wrote more words on religion than he did science; Newton was an unorthodox Christian. He tried to fuse his religion with his experiments - he would come home and read the bible, he practiced his religion at night or while doing his experiments. At some point, Newton moved away from the orthodox thinking of the Church of England and denied the existence of the Trinity that was believed by all orthodox Catholics and Protestants, therefore Newton was characterized as anti trinitarian. However, there were sever legal and social penalties for holding such beliefs, thus, he was forced to keep quiet about his beliefs and were not released until after his death.
Although it was generally agreed that he was a genius, Newton was unapproachable and possessed a bad disposition in life. He was deeply absorbed in his work, sometimes forgetting to eat or teach his classes, he would have a disheveled appearance and was hardly sleeping. It was said that even his scientific colleagues could hardly stand to be around him at times. Newton also hadn't been seen laughing heartily, he would smile but he never laughed out-loud. Newton was highly competitive, temperamental and sometimes ruthless, therefore he did not sit well with his fellow scientists. His professional life, was full of challenges as he had many critics and competitors throughout his career.