Sir Isaac Newton (1642 -1727) was an English physicist and mathematician; the leading figure in the Scientific Revolution of the 17th century. His discovery of the composition of white light laid the foundation for modern optics, whilst his three laws of motion, the basic principles of modern physics, resulted in the formulation of the law of universal gravitation. In mathematics, he was the original discoverer of the infinitesimal calculus.
Newton’s Philosophiae Naturalis Principia Mathematica (1687) was one of the most important single works in the history of modern science, his other great work being Opticks (1704). In addition Newton wrote works on religion and Theology including The Chronology of Ancient Kingdoms (1728).
