Sir Isaac Newton Memorial
Sir Isaac Newton
During the plague years of 1665-1666, while home from Cambridge, Newton experienced his "annus mirabilis" — his miraculous year. In isolation, he developed calculus, formulated his theory of optics, and conceived the law of universal gravitation, reportedly inspired by watching an apple fall.
His monumental work "Philosophiæ Naturalis Principia Mathematica" (1687) laid down the three laws of motion and the law of universal gravitation, explaining everything from falling apples to planetary orbits. It is arguably the most important single work in the history of science.
Newton also invented the reflecting telescope, studied alchemy and theology deeply, served as Master of the Royal Mint (where he pursued counterfeiters relentlessly), and was President of the Royal Society.
When he died in 1727, he was buried in Westminster Abbey — the first scientist to receive this honor. Voltaire observed, "He was buried like a king who had done well by his people."
Newton did the impossible — he explained the motion of the planets and the fall of an apple with the same set of laws. P...
Every physics student eventually comes to appreciate just how much Newton got right, centuries before the tools existed...
Newton's laws still govern everything from spacecraft trajectories to the way we walk. His reach is truly universal.
The Principia is perhaps the single greatest scientific work ever written. The breadth and depth are staggering.
Newton did the impossible — he explained the motion of the planets and the fall of an apple with the same set of laws. Pure genius.
Every physics student eventually comes to appreciate just how much Newton got right, centuries before the tools existed to verify his work.
Newton's laws still govern everything from spacecraft trajectories to the way we walk. His reach is truly universal.
The Principia is perhaps the single greatest scientific work ever written. The breadth and depth are staggering.
The apple tree at Woolsthorpe still stands. I hope to visit it someday and pay my respects.
He invented calculus during a pandemic lockdown. If that's not the most productive quarantine ever, I don't know what is.
He also served as Master of the Royal Mint and took his job so seriously that he personally hunted down counterfeiters!
He spent as much time on alchemy and theology as he did on physics. A complex mind that defies easy categorization.
His famous modesty — "standing on the shoulders of giants" — is genuinely moving. Even someone as brilliant as Newton understood the collaborative nature of science.
Buried in Westminster Abbey like royalty. A fitting tribute for the man who decoded the heavens.
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2026-03-03