Robert Hooke
1635–1703 · British · Scientific Revolution
Known for: Discovered cells, formulated Hooke's Law of elasticity, pioneered microscopy
Robert Hooke was 'London's Leonardo'—a virtuoso experimentalist who coined the word 'cell' after observing cork under a microscope, formulated the law of elasticity, helped rebuild London after the Great Fire, and fought bitterly with Newton over priority claims.
No authenticated portrait of him survives—possibly because Newton, who became president of the Royal Society after Hooke's death, had them destroyed. Newton held grudges like religion.
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