Sir Isaac Newton Isaac Newton was born on either December 25, 1642 or January 4, 1643 (no one could make up their mind). He was born in Woolsthorpe, near Grantham in Lincolnshire. Newton's father, who had died shortly before the birth of the brilliant mathematician/physicist was a yoeman farmer. It was intended that Newton should carry on the paternal farm. He was sent to school at Grantham where his uncanny learning skills and mechanical proficiency drew great attention to him. In 1656 Newton left school and returned home to take control of the farm his father had left behind. While tending to the land, Newton spent most of his time solving problems, conjuring up experiments, or devising mechanical models. Upon noticing this, his mother thought it wise to find a more suitable field for her son. Newton's uncle who had previously attended Trinity College, Cambridge, recommended he be sent there.
Opticks by Sir Isaac Newton
Sir Isaac Newton
Sir Isaac Newton, by Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt (died...Newton first entered Cambridge University in 1661 and was later elected a Fellow of Trinity College in 1667.
He remained at the university, lecturing in most years, until 1696. In 1689 Newton was elected Member of Parliament for the University of Cambridge and sat again in 1701-1702 as a firm opponent of the attempt by King James II to make the universities into Catholic institutions.
Meanwhile, in 1696 Newton had relocated to London as Warden of the Royal Mint. He later became Master of the Mint in 1699, a position which he held for the rest of his life. Newton was also elected as Fellow of the Royal Society of London in 1671 and went on to become President in 1703. Newton was annually re-elected to this position until his death at Kensington, London, March 20, 1772. He was 85 years old.
Throughout the course of his life Newton...