Sir Isaac Newton
- Born:
- 25 December 1642 (Julian calendar) / 4 January 1643 (Gregorian calendar), Woolsthorpe-by-Colsterworth, Lincolnshire, England
- Died:
- 20 March 1727 (Julian calendar) / 31 March 1727 (Gregorian calendar), Kensington, Middlesex, England
- Nationality:
- English
- Profession(s):
- Physicist, Mathematician, Astronomer, Alchemist, Theologian, Author
Early Life and Education
- Born prematurely on Christmas Day 1642 (Julian calendar).
- Attended The King's School, Grantham.
- Entered Trinity College, Cambridge, in 1661.
- Received a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1665.
- Forced to return home due to the Great Plague, during which he developed many of his most influential theories.
Career and Major Achievements
- Lucasian Professor of Mathematics at Cambridge University (1669–1701).
- Developed the laws of motion and universal gravitation.
- Invented infinitesimal calculus independently of Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz.
- Designed and constructed the first practical reflecting telescope.
- Served as Warden of the Royal Mint (1696–1699) and Master of the Royal Mint (1699–1727).
- President of the Royal Society (1703–1727).
- Knighted by Queen Anne in 1705.
Notable Works
- Philosophiæ Naturalis Principia Mathematica (1687)
- Opticks (1704)
- Arithmetica Universalis (1707)
Legacy and Impact
Sir Isaac Newton's work revolutionized science and mathematics. His laws of motion and universal gravitation are foundational to classical physics, and his development of calculus provided essential tools for mathematical analysis. Examining a "handel brief biography of sir isaac newton," one readily understands the profound impact of his contributions across multiple scientific disciplines.