Isaac Newton

1643–1727 · English · Scientific Revolution

Known for: Formulated the laws of motion, universal gravitation, and co-invented calculus

Isaac Newton wrote the most important scientific book ever published—the Principia Mathematica—which explained how gravity governs everything from falling apples to orbiting planets. He co-invented calculus, split white light into its spectrum with a prism, built the first reflecting telescope, and formulated the three laws of motion that governed physics for 250 years until Einstein came along.

He was also deeply weird. He spent more time on alchemy and biblical chronology than on physics. He served as Master of the Royal Mint and personally hunted down counterfeiters with a vindictiveness that would impress a mob boss. He was president of the Royal Society for 24 years and used the position to crush rivals, particularly Robert Hooke and Gottfried Leibniz.

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