Isaac Newton was an English mathematician, physicist, astronomer, and author. He is widely recognized as one of the most influential scientists of all time. His book Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy first published in 1687, laid the foundations of classical mechanics. Newton also made contributions to optics, and shares credit for developing calculus.

Newton formulated laws of motion and universal gravitation and used his mathematical description of gravity to account for tides, the paths of comets, the seasons and other phenomena. Popular legend suggests Newton developed his concept of gravity while watching apples fall from trees.

Newton built the first practical reflecting telescope and developed a sophisticated theory of color based on the observation that a prism separates white light into the colors of the visible spectrum. He also made the first theoretical calculation of the speed of sound. 

Newton was Professor of Mathematics in the University of Cambridge and served two brief terms as Member of Parliament for the University of Cambridge. He was knighted by Queen Anne in 1705 and spent the last three decades of his life in London, serving as Warden and Master of the Royal Mint, as well as president of the Royal Society, an association of the leading English scientists who played a central role in the Scientific 

Revolution.