Background
Home of Isaac Newton in Woolsthorpe, United Kingdom (first)
Newton's Book, Principia (second)
Newton's grave in Westminster Abbey, London, United Kingdom (last)
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Isaac Newton was born on January 4th in the year of 1643. In addition, he was born in the city of Woolshthorpe, United Kingdom.
Newton's early life is described as unhappy by some. Born premature and as an illegitimate child, this was only the beginning. Around three years old, Newton's mother left and remarried. Due to his illegitimacy, he faced hatred from his step father and seperation from his own mother. In June 1661 Newton was accepted into Cambridge University. Originally, he hoped to get a degree in law. He graduated with only a Bachelor's degree, and was unable to attend for two years after that due to the temporary closing of Cambridge. In the year of 1667, Newton returned to Cambridge. In that year Newton also was elected as a minor fellow at Trinity University. However, after graduating with his master's degree, he was elected to a major fellowship. Then, in 1670, began his work as a professor of Optics. Newton eventually found himself fighting with Robert Hooke. Both had controversy between each other in their studies. Later, Newton went to the papers and claimed that Hooke, had in fact, plagiarized Newton. Nevertheless, this was twice dismissed by others. Back to the year of 1666, Newton discovers gravity. This was the well known "Apple Falling from the Tree". Originally, Newton believed gravity to extend to the moon's orbit. However, it took at least many years for the concept to fully take flight. As the creator of calculus, and the man who discovered gravity and put forth the three laws of motion; Newton's book Principia was made. Published in the year of 1687, Newton's book was full of concepts and thoughts thought to be from a span of 20 years. Hooke, Newton's nemesis, read the writing. Afterwhich he claimed that he had helped in some discoveries, and needed his letters included in the work. However, Newton denied this invitation. After his rival, Hooke, died in 1703, Newton found himself elected as the President of the Royal Society. This continued year after year, up until Newton's own death. In the year of 1705, Newton was knighted. From this he gained the title Sir Isaac Newton. On the 20th of March, 1727, Newton died at the age of 84. The scientist, philosopher, and mathematician was carried in Westminster Abbey. He was given highest honors during his burial. |