Know your scientist: Isaac Newton

Sir Isaac Newton was born on Christmas day (25 December) in 1642, Woolsthorpe, England. He was not only a decorated physicist but was also well known for his advancements in the fields of astronomy, mathematics, and optics.

Some researchers claim that Newton was very interested in studying history and that he owned more history books than ones pertaining to science.
 
Even though most historians would have you believe that Newton discovered gravity after an a fell on his head. Some researchers claim that Newton first noticed gravity when he observed an apple fall in an orchid.

Even though Newton's famous laws of motions is still thought in science classroom till this day. What initially got him noticed in the scientific community was his invention of the refractive telescope. At the time, it was a great improvement over any other existing telescope.

Through his research, he was also able to calculate the trajectory of celestial bodies like comets and asteroid.

In 1696, Newton was in charge of printing coin for England as warden of the Royal Mint.

In 1727, Newton died at the age of 85. Perhaps the greatest achievement of Sir Isaac Newton was his book titled – Philosophiae Naturalis Principia Mathematica (Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy). The book is widely regarded as the single most influential book on physics.