Isaac Newton, born in 1643, is widely regarded as one of the most transformative figures in the history of science. His groundbreaking contributions to mathematics, physics, and astronomy laid the foundation for modern scientific inquiry.
Over his lifetime, Newton revolutionized the way humanity understood the natural world by formulating the laws of motion and universal gravitation, developing calculus, and conducting pioneering work in optics.
His magnum opus, Philosophiæ Naturalis Principia Mathematica (commonly known as the Principia), remains a cornerstone of physics and mathematics. Beyond his scientific achievements, Newton played a significant role in public service through his work at the Royal Mint and as President of the Royal Society.
This timeline highlights key events and discoveries in Newton’s life, illustrating his enduring influence on science and society.
| 1643 (January 4) | Isaac Newton is born in Woolsthorpe Manor, Lincolnshire, England. |
| 1646 | Newton’s mother, Hannah Ayscough Newton, remarries and leaves young Isaac in the care of his maternal grandmother. |
| 1654 | Newton begins attending The King’s School in Grantham, where he demonstrates an interest in mechanics and gadgets, building models of windmills and clocks. |
| 1661 | At age 18, Newton enrolls at Trinity College, Cambridge. |
| 1665 | Newton graduates with a bachelor’s degree. Shortly afterward, the Great Plague hits England, forcing Cambridge to close. Newton returns to Woolsthorpe Manor, where he begins an intense period of self-study and discovery. |
| 1666 | Newton makes significant advances in calculus, optics, and gravitation. |
| 1667 | Newton returns to Cambridge as a fellow of Trinity College and begins sharing his early work on optics and mathematics. |
| 1669 | Newton becomes the Lucasian Professor of Mathematics at Cambridge, succeeding Isaac Barrow. He starts lecturing on optics and conducting experiments with light and prisms. |
| 1671 | Newton invents the reflecting telescope, which uses mirrors instead of lenses to avoid chromatic aberration. This invention brings him to the attention of the Royal Society of London. |
| 1672 | Newton is elected a Fellow of the Royal Society. He publishes his first major scientific paper on the nature of light and color, showing that white light is made up of a spectrum of colors. His work on optics and light receives criticism from Robert Hooke, sparking a rivalry between the two. |
| 1675 | Newton develops an interest in alchemy and spends much time studying it in secret. He writes thousands of pages on alchemical research, although much of this work remains unpublished during his lifetime. |
| 1679 | Hooke, in a letter, suggests to Newton that planetary motion may be explained using an inverse-square law of attraction. This discussion motivates Newton to revisit his early work on gravitation. |
| 1684 | Newton begins writing one of the most influential scientific books ever published, the Philosophiae Naturalis Principia Mathematica (commonly known as the Principia), at the encouragement of astronomer Edmond Halley. |
| 1687 | The Principia is published. It outlines Newton’s three laws of motion and the law of universal gravitation, providing a mathematical framework for understanding the motions of celestial and terrestrial objects. |
| 1689 | Newton is elected as a Member of Parliament for the University of Cambridge, serving in the Convention Parliament. He plays a minor role in national politics. |
| 1693 | Newton suffers a nervous breakdown, possibly due to overwork or stress. This marks a low point in his life, but he soon recovers and shifts his focus toward practical matters, such as administration and public service. |
| 1696 | Newton is appointed Warden of the Royal Mint in London. He is responsible for overseeing the currency reform, including the Great Recoinage to combat counterfeiting. |
| 1701 | Newton briefly serves a second term as a Member of Parliament. |
| 1703 | Newton is elected President of the Royal Society, a position he holds until his death. He uses his influence to consolidate the dominance of his scientific views over rivals like Hooke and Leibniz. |
| 1704 | Newton publishes Opticks, a comprehensive book on light and color that expands on his earlier work. Unlike the mathematical style of the Principia, Opticks is written in a more accessible, experimental format. |
| 1705 | Newton is knighted by Queen Anne, becoming Sir Isaac Newton. This honor is largely for his public service at the Mint rather than his scientific achievements. |
| 1712 | The controversy between Newton and German mathematician Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz over who first developed calculus reaches its peak. Newton and his allies in the Royal Society ensure that Newton is credited as the primary inventor. |
| 1717 | Newton revises and republishes the Principia, adding clarifications and improvements. |
| 1725 | Newton’s health begins to deteriorate, and he suffers from kidney stones and other ailments. |
| 1727 (March 20) | Newton dies in his sleep in London at the age of 84. He is buried in Westminster Abbey, a rare honor for someone who was not royalty or nobility. |
Timeline of Isaac Newton
1643 (January 4) Isaac Newton is Born
Isaac Newton is born at Woolsthorpe Manor in Lincolnshire, England. His birth is challenging, as he is born prematurely and is not expected to survive.
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Tragically, his father, also named Isaac Newton, had passed away three months before his birth. This early period of vulnerability and loss shapes the early environment of Newton’s life.
1646 Newton’s Mother Remarries
When Newton is only three years old, his mother, Hannah Ayscough Newton, remarries a wealthy minister named Barnabas Smith. She moves away to live with her new husband, leaving young Isaac in the care of his maternal grandmother.
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This separation deeply affects him and is believed to contribute to the sense of isolation and insecurity he experiences throughout his life.
1654 Newton Attends The King’s School
Newton is enrolled at The King’s School in Grantham, where he starts to display an early fascination with mechanics and problem-solving. He is often seen working on various projects, including building models of windmills and mechanical devices. His curiosity and creativity become evident even at this early stage.
1661 Newton Enrolls at Trinity College, Cambridge
At the age of 18, Newton enters Trinity College at the University of Cambridge. There, he initially studies traditional Aristotelian philosophy, but his interest quickly shifts toward more progressive scientific ideas. He becomes heavily influenced by the works of René Descartes, Nicolaus Copernicus, Johannes Kepler, and Galileo Galilei.
1665 Newton Graduates and Returns Home
Newton completes his bachelor’s degree at Cambridge just as the Great Plague of London begins to spread across England. As the university closes to prevent the spread of the disease, Newton returns to Woolsthorpe Manor, where he embarks on a remarkable period of personal discovery and innovation.
1666 Newton’s Annus Mirabilis – A Year of Discovery
During his time away from Cambridge, Newton lays the groundwork for some of his most revolutionary ideas. He makes advances in the development of calculus, experiments with optics, and formulates early concepts of gravitation.
Legend has it that Newton’s observations of a falling apple inspire his thoughts on gravity, though this story is often romanticized.
1667 Newton Returns to Cambridge
Newton resumes his academic work at Cambridge, where he is elected as a fellow of Trinity College. He begins presenting his findings in mathematics and physics, setting the stage for his future breakthroughs in scientific thought and experimentation.
1669 Newton Becomes Lucasian Professor
At just 26 years old, Newton is appointed the Lucasian Professor of Mathematics, a prestigious position at Cambridge. He succeeds Isaac Barrow, who recognizes Newton’s potential. Newton uses this role to continue his research on optics and mechanics, frequently experimenting with prisms and light.
1671 Newton Invents the Reflecting Telescope
In one of his early major achievements, Newton invents the reflecting telescope. This device uses mirrors instead of lenses to form images, which helps to eliminate distortions caused by chromatic aberration. The telescope captures the attention of the Royal Society of London and earns Newton significant recognition.
1672 Newton Joins the Royal Society and Publishes on Light
Newton is elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society. He publishes his first major paper, which details his experiments on the nature of light and color.
He demonstrates that white light is composed of multiple colors, a revolutionary discovery. However, his conclusions spark a contentious debate with Robert Hooke, leading to a long-term rivalry.
1675 Newton’s Secret Interest in Alchemy
Newton becomes deeply immersed in the study of alchemy, an ancient practice that blends chemistry and mystical beliefs. He conducts numerous experiments and writes extensive notes on the subject, though he keeps much of this work hidden. His fascination with alchemy reflects his broader interest in uncovering hidden truths about the natural world.
1679 Newton Revisits Gravity and Corresponds with Hooke
After a brief period of isolation, Newton exchanges letters with Robert Hooke, who suggests that an inverse-square law could explain the movement of planets. This correspondence reignites Newton’s interest in the laws of motion and gravitation, leading him to refine his earlier ideas.
1684 Newton Begins Writing the Principia
Newton is encouraged by astronomer Edmond Halley to write a comprehensive work on motion and gravitation. He begins drafting what will become one of the most influential scientific texts in history—Philosophiæ Naturalis Principia Mathematica (the Principia).
1687 The Principia is Published
The Principia is published, outlining Newton’s three laws of motion and the law of universal gravitation. This work provides a mathematical explanation for the movement of objects on Earth and in space, revolutionizing the field of physics. Newton’s reputation as a leading figure of the Scientific Revolution is solidified.
1689 Newton Enters Politics
Newton is elected to represent the University of Cambridge in Parliament. His political contributions are modest, but he does participate in important discussions regarding the government’s response to the Glorious Revolution and religious policies.
1693 Newton’s Nervous Breakdown
Newton experiences a period of emotional and physical distress, likely due to overwork, isolation, and his tense relationships with other scientists. He temporarily withdraws from scientific work and focuses on recovery, marking a turning point in his career.
1696 Newton Becomes Warden of the Royal Mint
Newton is appointed Warden of the Royal Mint in London. He takes his duties seriously, leading efforts to reform the currency and combat widespread counterfeiting. His attention to detail and administrative abilities prove valuable in this role.
1701 Newton Serves a Second Term in Parliament
Newton returns to politics briefly, serving another term as a Member of Parliament. However, his contributions remain minimal, and he soon returns to his administrative and scientific endeavors.
1703 Newton Becomes President of the Royal Society
Newton is elected President of the Royal Society, a position he holds until his death. He uses this platform to assert control over scientific debates, including the ongoing rivalry with Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz over the invention of calculus.
1704 Newton Publishes Opticks
Newton releases Opticks, a detailed exploration of light, color, and optical phenomena. This work complements his earlier discoveries and is written in an accessible style, appealing to both scientists and the general public.
1705 Newton is Knighted
Queen Anne knights Newton, giving him the title of Sir Isaac Newton. This honor primarily recognizes his public service at the Royal Mint, although his scientific achievements are widely acknowledged by this time.
1712 The Calculus Controversy Intensifies
The debate between Newton and Leibniz over who invented calculus reaches its climax. Newton, with the support of the Royal Society, ensures that he is credited as the primary inventor, though modern historians acknowledge both men’s contributions.
1717 Newton Revises the Principia
Newton revises and republishes the Principia, adding new insights and clarifying key concepts. This updated edition further solidifies its role as a foundational scientific text.
1725 Newton’s Health Declines
Newton begins suffering from various health issues, including kidney stones and general weakness. His physical condition worsens, but he remains mentally active and engaged in correspondence until his final days.
1727 (March 20) Newton Passes Away
Newton dies in his sleep in London at the age of 84. He is buried in Westminster Abbey, a rare honor usually reserved for royalty and distinguished national figures. His death marks the end of an era, but his legacy as a scientific pioneer endures.