Student Article

Isaac Newton, born in 1643, rose from a difficult childhood in rural England to become one of the most influential figures in the history of science. Orphaned by his father’s death and later estranged from his mother, Newton found refuge in his studies.

Newton’s work at Cambridge University

At Cambridge University, Newton's talents quickly stood out, especially in mathematics and natural philosophy. His breakthroughs emerged during a forced break from school due to the Great Plague. Back at his home in Woolsthorpe, he developed the foundation for what we now call calculus, explored the nature of light and color, and began formulating his ideas about gravity.

The story of gravity

Though the story of an apple hitting him on the head is likely exaggerated, it was indeed an apple falling that led Newton to ask why objects fall to Earth — and why planets don’t. He realized that the same force pulling the apple down — gravity — also governed the motion of celestial bodies. His law of universal gravitation was revolutionary, linking terrestrial and cosmic physics. In 1687, Newton published Philosophiæ Naturalis Principia Mathematica, which included his three laws of motion and his theories of gravity. This work laid the groundwork for classical mechanics and became one of the most important scientific texts ever written.

Newton’s rivalry and leadership

Newton’s personality was as intense as his intellect. He was combative, especially with rivals like Robert Hooke, whose earlier ideas on motion Newton’s work resembled. Newton went so far as to try erasing Hooke’s contributions from the scientific record. He also feuded with philosopher Gottfried Leibniz over who invented calculus first.

Beyond science, Newton became warden and then master of the Royal Mint, where he overhauled England’s currency system and cracked down on counterfeiting. In 1703, he became president of the Royal Society, a position he used to control the direction of British science — and to settle personal scores.

Newton’s lasting impact

Newton died in 1727 and was buried with honors in Westminster Abbey. Despite his flaws, his legacy is vast. He not only changed physics but also influenced how science is done, emphasizing observation, experimentation, and mathematics. As he once said — whether humbly or pointedly — “If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants.”

© Jheni Osman / www.historyextra.com