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Portrait of Isaac Newton (1642-1727). Photo by Godfrey Kneller on

10 Important Historical Events About Isaac Newton

Sir Isaac Newton was an English mathematician, astronomer, alchemist, theologian, physicist, and author. He was described as a natural philosopher during his time and widely recognized as one the greatest mathematician, physicists, and influential scientists of all times. Sir Isaac Newton was also a key figure in the philosophical revolution which was known as the Enlightenment.

Isaac was born on Christmas day, 25th December 1642 according to the Julian Calendar in use in England at that time, two hours or an hour after midnight. He was born at Woolsthorpe Manor, a hamlet in the county of Lincolnshire. Isaac Newton, his father, had died three months before he was born prematurely with his mother claiming that he was small that he could fit in a quart mug.

However, Isaac Newton went on to become a very great person in history even though he was never raised by his parent. Here are 10 Important Historical Events About Isaac Newton;

1. Isaac Newton was Born

According to the Julian Calendar, Isaac Newton was born on 25th December 1642, an hour or two after midnight. He was born at Woolsthrope Manor in Woolsthorpe-by-Colsterworth in the county of Lincolnshire. His father was also known as Isaac Newton who had died three months before he was born.

Isaac Newton was born prematurely with his mother Hannah Ayscough stated that he could have perfectly fit inside a quart mug. He never lived with his mother as she was remarried and he was left under the care of his maternal grandmother, Margery Ayscough. Isaac Newton never liked his stepfather and always maintained some enmity towards his mother for marrying his stepfather.

2. Newton Joined the Cambridge University

Portrait of Isaac Newton (1642-1727). Photo by Godfrey Kneller on

As Isaac Newton grew up, he showed signs of being an intelligent child. From the age of twelve to seventeen, Isaac Newton got his early education at the King’s School in Grantham. Here, he was taught Latin and Ancient Greek which imparted a significant foundation of mathematics.

Isaac Newton got admitted to Trinity College at the University of Cambridge in June 1661 after his uncle, Reverend William Ayscough had recommended him. While at Cambridge University, Isaac Newton began as a subsizar until he got awarded a scholarship in 1665. This enabled him to cover his university costs for four years until he completed his MA.

During this time, the teachings at Cambridge were based on those of Aristotle. Isaac Newton continued reading more about modern philosophers where he learned several things including Kepler’s work. He then set down in his notebook a series of Quaestiones about mechanical philosophy.

3. He Discovered the Generalised Binomial Theorem

In 1665 while still studying at Cambridge University, Isaac Newton made numerous discoveries. He was so interested in mathematics that made him discover various formulas which have been used over the years by scholars and students.

Isaac Newton made the huge discovery of the generalized binomial theorem which has been in use over the years. The generalized binomial theorem is valid for any rational exponent.

4. Isaac Newton developed a Mathematical Theory

1779 copies of Isaac Newton’s “Isaac Newton Opera quae extant Omnia,” volumes I-IV. Photo by Unknown author on

The love and adoration of mathematics Isaac Newton became clear as he made major developments after the binomial theorem. He also developed the mathematical theory of calculus which has been used over the years.

Initially called infinitesimal calculus, calculus is the mathematical study of continuous change. It is the study of the generalization of arithmetic operations. In modern calculus which was developed in the 17th century by Isaac Newton, the world has used this element and appreciated it.

5. He was Appointed as Lucasian Professor of Mathematics

Isaac Newton completed his studies at Cambridge University successfully. He received his MA and became a Fellow of the College of the Holy and Undivided Trinity in the year 1667.

Later on, in 1669, Isaac Newton got appointed as Lucasian Professor of Mathematics after the recommendation of Barrow. For any individual to get a top seat at the University, they had to become an ordained Anglican priest. However, Isaac Newton did not get ordained because the Lucasian professorship did not require one to be active in the church to have more time for science.

Isaac Newton requested to be exempted from getting ordained with permission being granted by Charles the second. His religious views and Anglican orthodoxy were averted.

6. Newton Made the Theory of Light

Experiment with light. Photo by Castellsferran on Wikimedia

Isaac Newton observed that the spectrum of colors exiting a prism in the position of minimum deviation even when a ray of light enters the prism is circular 1666. Between 1670 and 1672, Isaac Newton started to lecture on optics and investigate the refraction of light.

He demonstrated the multi-colored image produced by a prism which he named a spectrum that could be recomposed into white light by a lens and another second prism. Modern scholarship revealed that Isaac Newton’s analysis owes a huge debt to corpuscular alchemy.

Isaac Newton demonstrated how colored light doesn’t change any of its properties by separating a colored beam and shining it on various objects, the light remained the same color. Newton then observed that color is the result of objects interacting with colored light rather than other objects generating their colors making this known as Newton’s theory of color.

7. He made a Description of Gravity

Another great historical event about Isaac Newton is his description of gravity. Isaac Newton made the description of gravitational as a universal force. He claimed that the forces which keep the planets in their orbs must be reciprocal as the squares between their distances from the centers they revolve.

His definition and description of gravity were later put into an inverse-square law:

F=G(m¹m²÷r²). His gravitational theory was accepted by the scientific community and spread across the European world. This theory rose to greater prominence when it was used to predict the existence of the planet Neptune.

8. Isaac Newton became an MP

A portrait of Isaac Newton. Photo by Unknown Author on

Other than his involvement in theories, Isaac Newton also served the people as well as their leader. Isaac Newton became a member of the Parliament of England for Cambridge University in 1689 and 1701.

However, his contribution in this post was not as much as people had earlier on expected. The only comment he made was a complaint about a cold draught in the chamber and requested for the window to be closed.

9. He Moved to London and became Warden of the Royal Mint

In 1696, Isaac Newton moved to London where he received a major job. He took up the post of warden of the Royal Mint which he had obtained through the patronage of Charles Montagu, then Chancellor of the Exchequer.

Isaac Newton then took charge of England’s recoining and trod on the toes of Lord Lucas who was Governor of the Tower. He became deputy comptroller of the temporary Chester branch for Edmond Halley.

At the Royal Mint, Isaac Newton estimated that 20% of the coins which were taken in during the Great Recoinage of 1696 were counterfeit. This mistake of counterfeiting was high treason punishable with hanging which was difficult but Newton proved equal to the task.

10. He became President of the Royal Society and Later made a Knight

Portrait of Sir Isaac Newton. Photo by Godfrey Kneller on

In 1703, Isaac Newton was made the president of the Royal Society and associate of the French Académie des Sciences. He made an enemy of the Astronomer Royal, John Flamsteed by prematurely publishing an article that he, Isaac Newton, had used in his studies.

Queen Anne knighted Isaac Newton during her royal visit to Trinity College in Cambridge in April 1705. However, his knighthood was motivated by his political considerations rather than scientific work.