Sir Isaac Newton “If I have seen further it is by standing on the shoulders of giants.” Sir Isaac Newton

Early Life Born at Woolsthorpe, near Grantham in Lincolnshire. Newton was born prematurely and not expected to live. His father died three months before he was born. When Newton was two, his mother left him in the care of his grandmother.

Education Newton attended King’s School and lived with the town apothecary. In 1658, he went home to manage the family’s estate. He was neglectful, though, so he went on to enter Cambridge University in From he went back to Lincolnshire due to the bubonic plague in Cambridge.

Contributions to Science Developed the fundamentals of calculus Proposed the three laws of motion Conducted optical experiments on his own eyes Made the first functioning reflecting telescope

Contributions to Science During Newton’s time, people did not questions whether gravity existed. It was not known, though, that gravity held the planets in motion. Newton formulated his theory of universal gravitation after an apple fell from a tree. It wasn’t until 1686 when this became fully formulated: every object in the universe attracts and is attracted to every other object.

His Final Years Newton was knighted in His health began to deteriorate, so he distributed his wealth among family members. He died when he was 84 years old.

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