Sir Isaac Newton The Leader of Scientific Revolution

Sir Isaac Newton was an English mathematician, astronomer,theologian and physicist. He was described in his own day as a natural philosopher and he was widely known as one of the most influential scientists of all time and a major role player in the scientific revolution.

His book Principia was published in 1687 and was used by many scientists and set the foundation for many areas of science. Newton also made groundbreaking contributions to optics, and he along with Gottfried Willhelm Leibnez helped develope infinitesimal calculus.Newton's Principia made the laws of motion and universal gravitation that controlled scientists' point of view on science for hundreds of years. By using Kepler’s law of planetary motion and his mathematical description of gravity Newton cleared all doubt about the heliocentric model of the planets and showed that the motion of the Earth and of the universe could be accounted for by the same principles. Newton's prediction that the Earth is shaped as a sphere was proven and he later proved that the path the earth orbits was in an elipse.Newton also built the first reflecting telescope and developed a theory of colour based on the observation that a prism releases white light into the colours that you can see. Newton's work on light was written down in his book optiks that was published in 1704. He also created an law of cooling, he made the first theory of the speed of sound.

As a mathematician Newton contributed to the study of power series, generalised the binomial theorem to non-integer exponents, and he created a way to find the roots of a function. Beyond his work in mathematical sciences, Newton dedicated much of his time to the study of alchemy and biblical chronology but most of his work in those areas were not used until long after his death. He was politically and personally tied to the Whig party, Newton served two brief terms as Member of parliament for the University of Cambridge in 1689 and 1701. He was knighted by Queen Anne in 1705 and he spent the last three decades of his life in London.

Isaac Newton was born on January 4, 1643, in Woolsthorpe, Lincolnshire, England. The son of a farmer, who died three months before he was born, Newton spent most of his early years with his maternal grandmother after his mother remarried.Newton hated his step father and had some resentment towards his mother for marrying him. His uncle gave him the recommendation to get into Cambridge and that began his life of science.

In 1666 he developed his theories of gravitation at just 23 years old. Then just 2 years later he constructed the first reflecting telescope. Newton went to school during the Great Plague and during the 18 month period where school was stopped is when he came up with a lot of his ideas on gravity. Then after he came back his friend and mentor Isaac Barrow resigned as the Lucasion professor and Newton assumed his position. After a few years he wanted to pursue other things and he resigned at Cambridge and became more politically involved but he also focused more on his biblical writings. Newton wrote 1.3 million words on biblical subjects but they were hidden until the auction of his non scientific writings in 1936. Newton studied the Bible taking strong interest in miracles and prophecies and he also calculated the dates of the old testament. He often analyzed the text of the Bible and discovered the author.

Isaac Newton was one of the greatest scientists of all time. He developed theories and created many things that are still taught and used today. His christian background influenced his work and he was able to explain some things in science and prove that there is a God. After a long life of knowledge,learning and discovery Newton passed away at the age of 83 in London.