The Life of Sir Isaac Newton

"The Life of Sir Isaac Newton" by David Brewster is a historical account written in the early 19th century. This biography explores the life, achievements, and legacy of one of the most influential scientists in history, Sir Isaac Newton. It details his early education, various scientific explorations, mathematical innovations, and the considerable impact of his discoveries on the fields of physics and astronomy. At the start of the work, Brewster outlines the immense reputation Newton holds in the scientific community, emphasizing the interest surrounding his life and writings. The narrative begins with Newton’s birth in Woolsthorpe, detailing his childhood experiences and early education. As a young boy, he displayed an insatiable curiosity and inventiveness, making several mechanical devices such as a windmill and a waterclock. Brewster establishes Newton's academic path to Cambridge, where he would later develop his groundbreaking theories on light and gravitation, paving the way for his storied scientific career. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Sir David Brewster KH PRSE FRS FSA Scot FSSA MICE was a Scottish scientist, inventor, author, and academic administrator. In science he is principally remembered for his experimental work in physical optics, mostly concerned with the study of the polarization of light and including the discovery of Brewster's angle. He studied the birefringence of crystals under compression and discovered photoelasticity, thereby creating the field of optical mineralogy. For this work, William Whewell dubbed him the "father of modern experimental optics" and "the Johannes Kepler of optics."