Isaac Newton by James Gleick is a biography that explores the life and work of one of the most influential scientists in history. The book delves into Newton’s early years, his education, and his groundbreaking work in physics, mathematics, and astronomy. It also examines the personal side of Newton’s life, including his religious beliefs and his involvement in the scientific community of his time.
The book begins with an overview of Newton’s early years. Born in 1643 in Woolsthorpe, England, Newton was raised by his grandmother after his mother died shortly after his birth. His father, a farmer, was away at the time of his mother’s death and remarried soon after. Newton was sent to live with his father when he was 12 years old, but he was not happy there and ran away to live with his grandmother again. It was during this time that he began to develop an interest in mathematics and science.
Chapter 2: The University of Cambridge
Newton attended the University of Cambridge in 1661, where he studied mathematics and physics. It was during this time that he began to develop his theories on gravity and the laws of motion. He also became involved in a group of scientists known as the “Cambridge Platonists,” who were interested in alchemy and other occult sciences. Newton himself was deeply interested in alchemy and spent much of his time experimenting with chemical reactions.
Chapter 3: The Scientific Revolution
The scientific revolution of the 17th century was a time of great discovery and innovation in the fields of physics, mathematics, and astronomy. Newton was at the forefront of this movement, and his work helped to shape the course of science for centuries to come. He developed the laws of motion and the law of universal gravitation, which explained the motion of celestial bodies and the behavior of objects on Earth.
Chapter 4: The Royal Society
The Royal Society was a scientific organization founded in 1660 by a group of scientists and intellectuals. Newton was a member of the society and played an important role in its development. He was elected president of the society in 1703 and used his position to promote scientific inquiry and discovery.
Chapter 5: The Opticks
The Opticks was a book published by Newton in 1704 that summarized his work on optics and the nature of light. In the book, Newton proposed that white light is made up of a spectrum of colors, and he developed a theory of color based on this idea. He also used his observations of light to develop the concept of the “corpuscle theory,” which proposed that light was made up of tiny particles.
Conclusion
Isaac Newton by James Gleick is a comprehensive biography of one of the most influential scientists in history. The book provides an overview of Newton’s early years, his education, and his groundbreaking work in physics, mathematics, and astronomy. It also examines the personal side of Newton’s life, including his religious beliefs and his involvement in the scientific community of his time. Overall, the book is a fascinating look at the life and work of a man who changed the course of science forever.
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