Facts about Isaac Newton

• He was born January 4, 1643, in Woolsthorpe, England, United Kingdom
• He died March 31, 1727, in London, England, United Kingdom
• Newton actually studied for a degree in law.
• He owned more books on historical subjects than on science.
• Isaac Newton suffered two nervous breakdowns.
• Newton was notorious for his bad temper and conflicts with other people. In particular Hooke and Leibinz.
• Between 1665 and 1667 the University of Cambridge was dispersed due to The Plague and Newton returned to Woolsthorpe Manor.
• Isaac Newton become known in the scientific community through his refractive telescope - a big improvement on existing telescopes.
• Newton's discovered the theory of gravity after watching an apple fall in the orchard.
• Throughout his life Newton continued research into a wide range of subjects including mathematics, optics, astronomy and alchemy.
• He was elected as Member of Parliament for the University in 1700, but only held this post for a year.
• Newton himself would tell the story of an apple falling from a tree giving him inspiration for his work on gravity. However, there is no evidence he was actually hit by an apple!
• In 1696, Newton was appointed warden of the Royal Mint. He took his duties very seriously, seeking to prevent corruption.
• Newton was fascinated with religion, though didn't hold orthodox views. He wrote an article on textual criticism of the Bible.
• One of Newton's most famous quotes was:
  • "If I have seen further it is by standing on the shoulders of giants."
• English poet Alexander Pope wrote the following epithat for Newton.

  Nature and nature's laws lay hid in night;
  God said "Let Newton be" and all was light.

 

• Biography of Isaac Newton
• Sir Isaac Newton - The Last Sorcerer at Amazon.co.uk
• Isaac Newton at Amazon.com
• Inventions That Changed the World
• Quotes by Isaac Newton
• Isaac Newton at BBC lincolnshire