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Newton, Sir Isaac, 1642-1727 (Knight, natural philosopher and mathematician)

 Person

Dates

  • Existence: 1642 - 1727

Biography

Sir Isaac Newton (1642-1727) was born at Woolsthorpe, Lincolnshire, on 25 December 1642. He attended Grantham Grammar School, 1654-1656, before matriculating at Trinity College, Cambridge, in 1661 (B.A., 1665), where he became a Fellow in 1667. In 1669 he was appointed Lucasian Professor at the university. Newton was made a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1672, and served as its President, 1703-1727. He was M.P. for Cambridge University, 1689 and 1701-1702. Newton's work on optics was published in 1704, and his research on the laws of motion appeared in his Principia, published in 1687. His other work included theological writings and the use of astronomy to try to amend ancient chronology. He was knighted in 1705, and died at Kensington, London, on 20 March 1727.

Found in 431 Collections and/or Records:

 Series

Printed Copy of a Letter from John Bernoulli to Sir Isaac Newton, with Newton's Observations on it, c 1713 (Original letter dated 7 June 1713)

 Series
Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS Add.3968.34: 473-486
Scope and Contents From the Fonds:

The Portsmouth Collection is the principal collection of Isaac Newton's scientific and mathematical papers, including early drafts of the Principia, and his correspondence with Oldenburg, Halley Flamsteed and many of the other most prominent scientists of his day.

Dates: c 1713 (Original letter dated 7 June 1713)
Conditions Governing Access: From the Fonds: Due to the fragile nature of the material access to the collection is restricted. It is available to view in the Cambridge University Digital Library at https://cudl.lib.cam.ac.uk/collections/newton/1 with the exception of MS.Add.4007, which is open for consultation by holders of a Reader's Ticket valid for the Manuscripts Reading Room.
Found in: Cambridge University Library / The Portsmouth Collection / Papers Relating to the dispute Respecting the Invention of Fluxions
 Series

Printed Title-page of the first Edition of the Commercium Epistolicum, 1712

 Series
Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS Add.3968.2: 3-9
Scope and Contents

With proposed corrections to the title for the 2nd Edition.

Dates: 1712
Conditions Governing Access: From the Fonds: Due to the fragile nature of the material access to the collection is restricted. It is available to view in the Cambridge University Digital Library at https://cudl.lib.cam.ac.uk/collections/newton/1 with the exception of MS.Add.4007, which is open for consultation by holders of a Reader's Ticket valid for the Manuscripts Reading Room.
Found in: Cambridge University Library / The Portsmouth Collection / Papers Relating to the dispute Respecting the Invention of Fluxions
 Series

Printer's Copy of Newton's Opticks, 1704

 Series
Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS Add.3970.3: 17-78,91-233
Scope and Contents

Contains emendation in Newton's hand, and printer's marks. Last folio (p.137 in printed text) is missing.

Dates: 1704
Conditions Governing Access: From the Fonds: Due to the fragile nature of the material access to the collection is restricted. It is available to view in the Cambridge University Digital Library at https://cudl.lib.cam.ac.uk/collections/newton/1 with the exception of MS.Add.4007, which is open for consultation by holders of a Reader's Ticket valid for the Manuscripts Reading Room.
Found in: Cambridge University Library / The Portsmouth Collection / Hydrostatics, Optics, Sound and Heat
 Series

Problemata numeralia, c 1700-c 1727

 Series
Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS Add.3964.1: 1-4
Scope and Contents From the Fonds:

The Portsmouth Collection is the principal collection of Isaac Newton's scientific and mathematical papers, including early drafts of the Principia, and his correspondence with Oldenburg, Halley Flamsteed and many of the other most prominent scientists of his day.

Dates: c 1700-c 1727
Conditions Governing Access: From the Fonds: Due to the fragile nature of the material access to the collection is restricted. It is available to view in the Cambridge University Digital Library at https://cudl.lib.cam.ac.uk/collections/newton/1 with the exception of MS.Add.4007, which is open for consultation by holders of a Reader's Ticket valid for the Manuscripts Reading Room.
Found in: Cambridge University Library / The Portsmouth Collection / Miscellaneous Mathematical Subjects
 File

Proposed Corrections for the first edition of the Principia, c 1690

 File
Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS Add.3965.9: 93
Scope and Contents

Sixteen lines in Newton's hand referring to page and line numbers in the first edition of Principia.

Dates: c 1690
Conditions Governing Access: From the Fonds: Due to the fragile nature of the material access to the collection is restricted. It is available to view in the Cambridge University Digital Library at https://cudl.lib.cam.ac.uk/collections/newton/1 with the exception of MS.Add.4007, which is open for consultation by holders of a Reader's Ticket valid for the Manuscripts Reading Room.
Found in: Cambridge University Library / The Portsmouth Collection / Papers Connected with the Principia (mostly holograph) / Proposed Corrections probably for 1st Edition of the Principia
 Series

Proposed Corrections probably for 1st Edition of the Principia, 1686-1690

 Series
Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS Add.3965:9
Scope and Contents From the Sub-Fonds:

Early drafts of the Principia and related notes; additions, corrections and revisions to the Principia. This is the 'general' category: papers relating specifically to lunar theory or containing mathematical problems are classified separately.

Dates: 1686-1690
Conditions Governing Access: From the Fonds: Due to the fragile nature of the material access to the collection is restricted. It is available to view in the Cambridge University Digital Library at https://cudl.lib.cam.ac.uk/collections/newton/1 with the exception of MS.Add.4007, which is open for consultation by holders of a Reader's Ticket valid for the Manuscripts Reading Room.
Found in: Cambridge University Library / The Portsmouth Collection / Papers Connected with the Principia (mostly holograph)
 File

Proposed revisions of the second law of motion, 1692-1693

 File
Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS Add.3965.12: 274
Scope and Contents From the Sub-Fonds:

Early drafts of the Principia and related notes; additions, corrections and revisions to the Principia. This is the 'general' category: papers relating specifically to lunar theory or containing mathematical problems are classified separately.

Dates: 1692-1693
Conditions Governing Access: From the Fonds: Due to the fragile nature of the material access to the collection is restricted. It is available to view in the Cambridge University Digital Library at https://cudl.lib.cam.ac.uk/collections/newton/1 with the exception of MS.Add.4007, which is open for consultation by holders of a Reader's Ticket valid for the Manuscripts Reading Room.
Found in: Cambridge University Library / The Portsmouth Collection / Papers Connected with the Principia (mostly holograph) / Additions and Corrections to 1st Edition of the Principia
 Series

Propositiones De Motu, 1684

 Series
Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS Add.3965:7
Scope and Contents From the Sub-Fonds:

Early drafts of the Principia and related notes; additions, corrections and revisions to the Principia. This is the 'general' category: papers relating specifically to lunar theory or containing mathematical problems are classified separately.

Dates: 1684
Conditions Governing Access: From the Fonds: Due to the fragile nature of the material access to the collection is restricted. It is available to view in the Cambridge University Digital Library at https://cudl.lib.cam.ac.uk/collections/newton/1 with the exception of MS.Add.4007, which is open for consultation by holders of a Reader's Ticket valid for the Manuscripts Reading Room.
Found in: Cambridge University Library / The Portsmouth Collection / Papers Connected with the Principia (mostly holograph)
 File

"Propositiones de Motu" [A Humphrey Newton transcription of De Motu Corporum], Autumn 1684

 File
Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS Add.3965.7: 55-62*
Scope and Contents

The unamended text is very similar to the two known contemporary transcripts of the putative fair copy sent to London in November 1684 and entered around early December in the Royal Society's Register Book (6: ff.218-234.) The other existing copy (Add. 3965.7: ff.63-70) was made by Edmund Halley, perhaps slightly earlier. The changes and revisions to the initial state were afterwards effected by Humphrey Newton in Add. 3965.7: 40-54.

Dates: Autumn 1684
Conditions Governing Access: From the Fonds: Due to the fragile nature of the material access to the collection is restricted. It is available to view in the Cambridge University Digital Library at https://cudl.lib.cam.ac.uk/collections/newton/1 with the exception of MS.Add.4007, which is open for consultation by holders of a Reader's Ticket valid for the Manuscripts Reading Room.
Found in: Cambridge University Library / The Portsmouth Collection / Papers Connected with the Principia (mostly holograph) / Propositiones De Motu
 Series

Propositiones De Motu Corporum, 1691-1695

 Series
Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS Add.3965:6
Scope and Contents From the Sub-Fonds:

Early drafts of the Principia and related notes; additions, corrections and revisions to the Principia. This is the 'general' category: papers relating specifically to lunar theory or containing mathematical problems are classified separately.

Dates: 1691-1695
Conditions Governing Access: From the Fonds: Due to the fragile nature of the material access to the collection is restricted. It is available to view in the Cambridge University Digital Library at https://cudl.lib.cam.ac.uk/collections/newton/1 with the exception of MS.Add.4007, which is open for consultation by holders of a Reader's Ticket valid for the Manuscripts Reading Room.
Found in: Cambridge University Library / The Portsmouth Collection / Papers Connected with the Principia (mostly holograph)
 File

"Propositiones de Motu" [Edmund Halley's transcription of De Motu Corporum], c December 1684

 File
Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS Add.3965.7: 63-71
Scope and Contents

Edmund Halley's transcription of portions of the first five propositions of De Motu Corporum. Probably transcribed from the putative Humphrey Newton fair copy sent to London in November 1684 and entered into the Royal Society's Register Book (6: ff.218-234.)

Dates: c December 1684
Conditions Governing Access: From the Fonds: Due to the fragile nature of the material access to the collection is restricted. It is available to view in the Cambridge University Digital Library at https://cudl.lib.cam.ac.uk/collections/newton/1 with the exception of MS.Add.4007, which is open for consultation by holders of a Reader's Ticket valid for the Manuscripts Reading Room.
Found in: Cambridge University Library / The Portsmouth Collection / Papers Connected with the Principia (mostly holograph) / Propositiones De Motu
 Series

Propositions afterwards included in the Principia, but differently numbered, 1685

 Series
Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS Add.3965:3
Scope and Contents From the Sub-Fonds:

Early drafts of the Principia and related notes; additions, corrections and revisions to the Principia. This is the 'general' category: papers relating specifically to lunar theory or containing mathematical problems are classified separately.

Dates: 1685
Conditions Governing Access: From the Fonds: Due to the fragile nature of the material access to the collection is restricted. It is available to view in the Cambridge University Digital Library at https://cudl.lib.cam.ac.uk/collections/newton/1 with the exception of MS.Add.4007, which is open for consultation by holders of a Reader's Ticket valid for the Manuscripts Reading Room.
Found in: Cambridge University Library / The Portsmouth Collection / Papers Connected with the Principia (mostly holograph)
 File

Propositions afterwards included in the Principia, but differently numbered, c 1685

 File
Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS Add.3965.3: 7-14
Scope and Contents

Written in the hand of Humphrey Newton.

Dates: c 1685
Conditions Governing Access: From the Fonds: Due to the fragile nature of the material access to the collection is restricted. It is available to view in the Cambridge University Digital Library at https://cudl.lib.cam.ac.uk/collections/newton/1 with the exception of MS.Add.4007, which is open for consultation by holders of a Reader's Ticket valid for the Manuscripts Reading Room.
Found in: Cambridge University Library / The Portsmouth Collection / Papers Connected with the Principia (mostly holograph) / Propositions afterwards included in the Principia, but differently numbered
 Series

Propositions in Fluxions, c 1665-c 1700

 Series
Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS Add.3960.11:181-196
Scope and Contents From the Sub-Fonds:

Papers on infinite series, curves and fluxions, in the hands of Newton and two others.

Dates: c 1665-c 1700
Conditions Governing Access: From the Fonds: Due to the fragile nature of the material access to the collection is restricted. It is available to view in the Cambridge University Digital Library at https://cudl.lib.cam.ac.uk/collections/newton/1 with the exception of MS.Add.4007, which is open for consultation by holders of a Reader's Ticket valid for the Manuscripts Reading Room.
Found in: Cambridge University Library / The Portsmouth Collection / Fluxions
 Series

Propositions in the Lunar Theory, c 1700

 Series
Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS Add.3966.4: 28-35
Scope and Contents

Found on loose sheets placed at the end of Newton's interleaved copy of the first edition of Principia. Probably intended to be employed in a second edition.

Dates: c 1700
Conditions Governing Access: From the Fonds: Due to the fragile nature of the material access to the collection is restricted. It is available to view in the Cambridge University Digital Library at https://cudl.lib.cam.ac.uk/collections/newton/1 with the exception of MS.Add.4007, which is open for consultation by holders of a Reader's Ticket valid for the Manuscripts Reading Room.
Found in: Cambridge University Library / The Portsmouth Collection / Papers Connected with the Principia on Lunar Theory
 Series

Propositions in the Method of Fluxions, c 1665-c 1700

 Series
Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS Add.3960.10:165-180
Scope and Contents From the Sub-Fonds:

Papers on infinite series, curves and fluxions, in the hands of Newton and two others.

Dates: c 1665-c 1700
Conditions Governing Access: From the Fonds: Due to the fragile nature of the material access to the collection is restricted. It is available to view in the Cambridge University Digital Library at https://cudl.lib.cam.ac.uk/collections/newton/1 with the exception of MS.Add.4007, which is open for consultation by holders of a Reader's Ticket valid for the Manuscripts Reading Room.
Found in: Cambridge University Library / The Portsmouth Collection / Fluxions
 Series

Propositions on Elliptic Motion, 1690

 Series
Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS Add.3965:1
Scope and Contents From the Sub-Fonds:

Early drafts of the Principia and related notes; additions, corrections and revisions to the Principia. This is the 'general' category: papers relating specifically to lunar theory or containing mathematical problems are classified separately.

Dates: 1690
Conditions Governing Access: From the Fonds: Due to the fragile nature of the material access to the collection is restricted. It is available to view in the Cambridge University Digital Library at https://cudl.lib.cam.ac.uk/collections/newton/1 with the exception of MS.Add.4007, which is open for consultation by holders of a Reader's Ticket valid for the Manuscripts Reading Room.
Found in: Cambridge University Library / The Portsmouth Collection / Papers Connected with the Principia (mostly holograph)
 File

Propositions on Elliptic Motion, March 1690 (Locke's own copy is dated 'March 1689' - it is likely he meant March 1690 N.S. as Newton did not know Locke until the latter's return from exile in Holland (February 1689.))

 File
Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS Add.3965.1: 1-4
Scope and Contents

A simpler set of demonstrations of the properties of elliptical motion written by Newton for John Locke (who was an early reader of the Principia.) This is Newton's own copy, and differs somewhat from Locke's (which was incompletely published in W.W. Rouse Ball, An Essay on Newton's "Principia" (London, 1893,) pp.116-120.)

Dates: March 1690 (Locke's own copy is dated 'March 1689' - it is likely he meant March 1690 N.S. as Newton did not know Locke until the latter's return from exile in Holland (February 1689.))
Conditions Governing Access: From the Fonds: Due to the fragile nature of the material access to the collection is restricted. It is available to view in the Cambridge University Digital Library at https://cudl.lib.cam.ac.uk/collections/newton/1 with the exception of MS.Add.4007, which is open for consultation by holders of a Reader's Ticket valid for the Manuscripts Reading Room.
Found in: Cambridge University Library / The Portsmouth Collection / Papers Connected with the Principia (mostly holograph) / Propositions on Elliptic Motion
 Series

Propositions prepared to be used in the Lunar Theory, c 1700

 Series
Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS Add.3966.2: 14-23
Scope and Contents From the Fonds:

The Portsmouth Collection is the principal collection of Isaac Newton's scientific and mathematical papers, including early drafts of the Principia, and his correspondence with Oldenburg, Halley Flamsteed and many of the other most prominent scientists of his day.

Dates: c 1700
Conditions Governing Access: From the Fonds: Due to the fragile nature of the material access to the collection is restricted. It is available to view in the Cambridge University Digital Library at https://cudl.lib.cam.ac.uk/collections/newton/1 with the exception of MS.Add.4007, which is open for consultation by holders of a Reader's Ticket valid for the Manuscripts Reading Room.
Found in: Cambridge University Library / The Portsmouth Collection / Papers Connected with the Principia on Lunar Theory
 Series

Propositions relating to the Lunar Theory; Scholium, c 1700

 Series
Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS Add.3966.9: 59-68
Scope and Contents

Scholium differs from that inserted in the second edition of Principia.

Dates: c 1700
Conditions Governing Access: From the Fonds: Due to the fragile nature of the material access to the collection is restricted. It is available to view in the Cambridge University Digital Library at https://cudl.lib.cam.ac.uk/collections/newton/1 with the exception of MS.Add.4007, which is open for consultation by holders of a Reader's Ticket valid for the Manuscripts Reading Room.
Found in: Cambridge University Library / The Portsmouth Collection / Papers Connected with the Principia on Lunar Theory
 Series

Receipt for the £125 Paid to Flamsteed for his First Catalogue of Fixed Stars, 28 February 1705 (1705/6)

 Series
Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS Add.4006.13: 27
Scope and Contents From the Fonds:

The Portsmouth Collection is the principal collection of Isaac Newton's scientific and mathematical papers, including early drafts of the Principia, and his correspondence with Oldenburg, Halley Flamsteed and many of the other most prominent scientists of his day.

Dates: 28 February 1705 (1705/6)
Conditions Governing Access: From the Fonds: Due to the fragile nature of the material access to the collection is restricted. It is available to view in the Cambridge University Digital Library at https://cudl.lib.cam.ac.uk/collections/newton/1 with the exception of MS.Add.4007, which is open for consultation by holders of a Reader's Ticket valid for the Manuscripts Reading Room.
Found in: Cambridge University Library / The Portsmouth Collection / Correspondence, Articles of Agreement etc. about the Publication of Flamsteed's Observations
 Series

References to the original letters contained, or intended to be contained, in the Commercium Epistolicum, c 1710-c 1720

 Series
Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS Add.3968.19: 263-295
Scope and Contents From the Fonds:

The Portsmouth Collection is the principal collection of Isaac Newton's scientific and mathematical papers, including early drafts of the Principia, and his correspondence with Oldenburg, Halley Flamsteed and many of the other most prominent scientists of his day.

Dates: c 1710-c 1720
Conditions Governing Access: From the Fonds: Due to the fragile nature of the material access to the collection is restricted. It is available to view in the Cambridge University Digital Library at https://cudl.lib.cam.ac.uk/collections/newton/1 with the exception of MS.Add.4007, which is open for consultation by holders of a Reader's Ticket valid for the Manuscripts Reading Room.
Found in: Cambridge University Library / The Portsmouth Collection / Papers Relating to the dispute Respecting the Invention of Fluxions
 Series

Regula differentiarum etc., c 1700-c 1727

 Series
Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS Add.3964.5: 1-4
Scope and Contents

Plus negative copy.

Dates: c 1700-c 1727
Conditions Governing Access: From the Fonds: Due to the fragile nature of the material access to the collection is restricted. It is available to view in the Cambridge University Digital Library at https://cudl.lib.cam.ac.uk/collections/newton/1 with the exception of MS.Add.4007, which is open for consultation by holders of a Reader's Ticket valid for the Manuscripts Reading Room.
Found in: Cambridge University Library / The Portsmouth Collection / Miscellaneous Mathematical Subjects
 Series

Regula fratrum, c 1665-c 1727

 Series
Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS Add.3963.5: 40-41
Scope and Contents From the Fonds:

The Portsmouth Collection is the principal collection of Isaac Newton's scientific and mathematical papers, including early drafts of the Principia, and his correspondence with Oldenburg, Halley Flamsteed and many of the other most prominent scientists of his day.

Dates: c 1665-c 1727
Conditions Governing Access: From the Fonds: Due to the fragile nature of the material access to the collection is restricted. It is available to view in the Cambridge University Digital Library at https://cudl.lib.cam.ac.uk/collections/newton/1 with the exception of MS.Add.4007, which is open for consultation by holders of a Reader's Ticket valid for the Manuscripts Reading Room.
Found in: Cambridge University Library / The Portsmouth Collection / Papers Relating to Geometry
 Series

Remarks on Leibnitz's first letter to the Abbe Conti, c 1710-c 1720

 Series
Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS Add.3968.28: 412-419
Scope and Contents From the Fonds:

The Portsmouth Collection is the principal collection of Isaac Newton's scientific and mathematical papers, including early drafts of the Principia, and his correspondence with Oldenburg, Halley Flamsteed and many of the other most prominent scientists of his day.

Dates: c 1710-c 1720
Conditions Governing Access: From the Fonds: Due to the fragile nature of the material access to the collection is restricted. It is available to view in the Cambridge University Digital Library at https://cudl.lib.cam.ac.uk/collections/newton/1 with the exception of MS.Add.4007, which is open for consultation by holders of a Reader's Ticket valid for the Manuscripts Reading Room.
Found in: Cambridge University Library / The Portsmouth Collection / Papers Relating to the dispute Respecting the Invention of Fluxions

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