Isaac Newton

Sir Isaac Newton was born in Lincolnshire, England in 1642. Newton was a top student in school, and while attending Trinity College, Cambridge, he began developing his own mathematical theory that became infinitesimal calculus. Newton went on to write the book Principia, which laid out the laws of motion and universal gravitation that would form the foundation of classical mechanics. He also contributed to the field of optics and built the first reflecting telescope. Newton was a devout Christian but disagreed with the popular doctrines of his time, and refused to take holy orders in the Church of England. Later in life, Newton served as Warden and Master of the Royal Mint and as president of the Royal Society.