Interesting Facts About Famous Mathematicians: Isaac Newton

Isaac Newton, despite a humble start, is one of the most successful mathematicians and physicists of our time. He had a rough childhood and led a solitude life until he died at the age of 84. Here are 20 interesting facts about him:

When Isaac Newton Was Born, He Was So Small That He Fit Inside A Quart Size Mug

As stated by his mother, he was so small because he was premature.

His Father Was Also Called Isaac Newton

As his father passed away three months before he was born, the mathematician was called by the same name to honor him.

Hannah Ayscough, His Mother, Left Him When He Was Three

When he was only three years old, Newton was left in the care of his maternal grandmother as his own mother remarried and moved in with her new husband.

He Threatened To Burn Down The House With His Stepfather And Mother Inside

He did get along well with Reverend Barnabas Smith, his stepfather, with whom his birth mother had three children. His relationship with Hannah Ayscough was rough too. All of these disputes were recorded in his journal.

His Mother Expected Him To Be A Farmer

Newton himself disliked that job. His rural life did not end up well. When his mother realized that he was not suitable for the profession, she let him receive some formal education.

As He Was A Quiet And Shy Young Man, Newton Was Bullied At School

The bully had pushed Newton to try his best at school to prove his worth, and he eventually succeeded.

The King’s School, Grantham, Where He Studied From When He Was 12 To 17, Still Opens Today

During these five years, he lived with William Clarke, who inspired him to pursue chemistry. The school still opens today, with his signature engraved on a windowsill.

He Got Into Trinity College With The Help Of His Uncle Rev William Ayscough

In 1661, Newton was in Cambridge. Since he did not have a deep pocket to pay for his own education, Newton took in several part-time jobs. Three years later, he received a scholarship to attend Cambridge

Isaac Newton’s Education Was Interrupted In 1665 By The Bubonic Plague

This plague was the reason why Cambridge had to close down for two years. During this time, Newton spent time in the Woolsthorpe manor researching. These two years were very productive for him. And this was the time he noticed an apple falling from the tree in the manor’s garden.

At The Age Of 27, Newton Became A Math Professor At Cambridge University

He was made a professor just one year after he gained his master's degree. This position belonged to professor Isaac Burrow before he gave it to Newton after being impressed by his achievements in mathematics.

Newton Was A Successful Mathematician But He Failed Dramatically As An Investor

In today’s estimate, he lost around $3 million dollars when investing in the South Sea Company. He was so bitter about this failure that no one got to say “South Sea” when he was there.

Newton Wrote About Science Less Than He Did For Alchemy And Religion

While he wrote about this subject a lot, his 10 million word work was not published until the 1960s. What is so interesting about this is that he did not talk about the subject much during his lifetime.

These papers were kept in secret by Newton’s descendants in the fear that they would tamper with his reputation.

Mathematical Principles of Natural History (Principia) Was One Of His Most Famous Works

Principia consists of three books about newton’s various ideas, including the theory of gravity. Newton’s three laws are also in one of the books.

Newton Belonged To The Parliament Of England, But He Did Not Contribute Much

When he was in this post, he did not have much of a contribution or accomplishment. Some historians even said that during the time in the Parliament, the only idea he ever spoke out loud was about the temperature of the room, and asked others to close the windows.

He Never Married

There are several theories on why he did not marry. One of them is that since he went to Cambridge, one of Catholic University systems’ inheritance, its students, professors, and fellows often remain celibate.

Another theory is that Newton was too busy with his research in science that he did not find the time for marriage. He might not find anyone suitable to share his life with or he just simply did not want to be distracted from his works.

Newton Might Suffer From The Asperger Syndrome

Scientists, after studying his biography and personal journal, concluded that he showed symptoms of Asperger Syndrome.

The evidence to back this claim is that his social life was poor and he had problems with his anger. There are reports saying that sometimes when he focused too much on is work, Newton forgot to eat and sleep.

Newton Was Not A Good Lecturer

Isaac Newton spent over three decades at Cambridge but his lectures were not very popular among students. However, with that kind of attendance, he never canceled any of the lectures.

Many historians argued that students did not attend his classes because they could not understand him. Another reason might be that Newton had no interest in his teaching career because he was too occupied by his research.

Isaac Newton Died At The Age Of 84 From Severe Stomach Pain

When Newton was over 80 years old, his digesting system started to show some problems. Newton died in his sleep on the 31^st of March, 1727.

>>> Top 10 Famous Indian Mathematicians In The World