Issac Newton
...who was born into a poor farming family. Newton was not a good
farmer so he was sent to Cambridge to study to become a preacher. Newton studied
mathematics. Newton was forced to leave Cambridge when it was closed because of the
plague. During that period Newton made some of his most significant discoveries.
In 1675, Newton suffered a mental breakdown. He was still recovering through
1679. Newton began devoting his efforts to theological speculation and put the
calculations on elliptical motion aside. Newton devoted the period from August 1684 to
spring 1686 to this task. The results became one of the mos important influential works
on physics of all times. It was called: Philosophiae Naturalis Principia Mathematica.
Newton invented a scientific method which was truly universal. Newton
formulated the classical theories of mechanics and optics and invented Calculus years
before Leibniz. He had not published his work on Calculus until afterward Leibniz had
published his. Newton also formulated a system of chemistry in Query 31 at the end of
Optics. He explained chemical reactions in terms of the chemical affinities of the
participating substances. Newton devoted a majority of his free time later in life to
fruitless chemical experiments.
Newton was extremely sensitive to cirticism, and even ceased publishing until the
death of his archrival Hooke. After Newton's death, his burial place was moved. It was
discovered that Newton had massive amounts of mercury in his body.
Newton was appointed Warden of the British Mint in 1695. Newton contributed
more to the development of science than any other individual in history.
Although his methodology was strictly logical Newton still believed deeply in the
necessity of a God. Earlier philosophers such as Galileo and John...
View Full Essay
