A GREAT CREATIVE PERIOD

(6) For about 18 months the university was shut down because of an out break of bubonic plague[5] .Newton spent that time at is farm in Woolsthorpe. It was a period of amazing creativity. As Newton later wrote, “In those days I was in the prime of my age for invention, and minded mathematics and physics more than at any time since.”

(7) In those few months Newton developed both the differential and integral calculus, independently of the German mathematician Leibniz . The calculus was absolutely essential to the development of modern physics. It is the branch of mathematics that deals with the study of continuously changing qualities. Without the calculus, Newton could not have worked out his theory of gravitation, since it involves the mathematics of bodies in motion – that is, bodies continuously changing their position in space.

(8) In this period, Newton also showed that colors of the spectrum[6] can be obtained by diffracting white light with a prism , and then be recombined with another prism to produce white light again. He speculated on the nature of light, and ended up with an outlook that in some ways resembles the modern one – that light behaves both as if it travels as particles and in waves. In the course of this work on light, he designed the first reflecting telescope.

(9) Finally, Newton began to work out his gravitational theory, coming to the conclusion that gravitational forces work at a distance between bodies in space. The story that his musings on gravitation were set off by the sight of an apple falling comes from Newton himself.

(10) Newton was 24 when he returned to the university. A professor of mathematics, Isaac Barrow , had early recognized Newton’s genius. It is generally thought that Barrow resigned his professorship so that Newton could take his place as Lucasian professor of mathematics, at the age of 26. He remained at the university until he was 53 years old. His work in mathematics and optics had already made him a famous man, and he was elected a member of the Royal Society at the age of 30.

THE PRINCIPIA[7]

NEWTON THE MAN

(15) For the rest of his life, Newton continued to receive awards and honors for his achievements in science. He produced some further work and improved and added to his Principia, but nothing equaled his earlier achievements. He retained his mathematical powers, however, and quickly solved difficult problems that were presented to him. In 1696 he was appointed Warden of the Mint[8], and he became Master of the Mint three years later. He retained his post until his death, in Kensington , on March 20, 1727, at the age of 84.

(16) Newton was a solitary and often a difficult man. During his long stay at Cambridge he worked alone or with one assistant. He did not do much teaching, and he had only a very few friends. He slept little and ate little and was nearly always working. He spent his days reading, writing, making notes, pacing back and forth in his room, going for walks, avoiding naps – and always, always concentrating on his projects. His relaxation came in switching back and forth between theoretical physics, mathematics, and – there was a mystical side to Newton – alchemy and theology . His contemporaries said that he seldom laughed or ever smiled.

(17) Newton’s health as an adult was excellent and he was clever with his hands. However, he had at least two nervous breakdowns, and he lost his temper easily. He engaged in several long scientific battles with fellow scientists over his theories, including Hooke, Leibniz and the English astronomer John Flamsteed . In such battles Newton could be without mercy. The philosopher John Locke, a friend, wrote that “Newton was a difficult man to deal with and a little too apt to raise in himself suspicions where there was no ground.” It should be said, however, that justice was often on Newton’s side and that he could deal quite patiently with other scientists in trying to explain his theories.

(18) All of those conflicts are long since over. The achievements of Isaac Newton remain. Among the galaxy of scientists, his star shines very bright.

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