Sir Isaac Newton is generally regarded as one of the greatest and most famous scientists in history. Newton was an astronomer, physicist, mathematician and philosopher who is known for theorizing and reporting on gravitational force and the three laws of motion.

Isaac Newton

Isaac Newton discovered that white light is made up of a spectrum of colors, that when blended together produce the white light. He showed by use of a prism that white light can be split into a spectrum of colors and then used a second prism to show this spectrum can then be rejoined to produce white light. Newton also theorized that light was composed of particles but had to associate the property of light with waves in order to explain refraction of light.

Isaac Newton focused much of his work on the theory of gravitation force and its effect on the orbit of the planets. In his work known as "Principia," he also presented the speed of sound.

Gottfried Leibniz and Isaac Newton developed calculus independently from one another, with Newton being credited as the first to come up with the mathematical system and Leibniz the first to publish the system. Newton said he was reluctant to publish his calculus at the time for fear of being mocked.

As much as a scientist as Isaac Newton, he was also a devote Christian and alchemist and spent more time and energy in these two endeavors that he spent on traditional science and mathematics. Newton wrote more on Christianity than about any other subject.

Sir Isaac Newton was born in Lincolnshire, England, on January 4, 1642, which at that time was Christmas Day because they were using the Gregorian calendar. Newton died on March 31, 1727 in London, England.

Rumor Has It …

Rumor has it that Sir Isaac Newton was named after a popular fig treat at the time. This popular fig treat was made up of figs, catnip and medicinal marijuana, which helped the aging scientist and mathematician with his glaucoma.

In a total useless, trident and downright woefully false account written by one of Newton's jealous colleagues, it was reported that the famed scientist used to bite sheep upon the fanny after having one too many drinks at the local London pub.

Written by Kevin Lepton