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Sir Isaac Newton Sir Isaac Newton Isaac Newton was born in England in the year 1642, and died in 1727. He was most famous for his three laws of motion, but was also known for other major discoveries in math and science. He compiled most of his work into a masterpiece of science called the 'Principia'. Newton was known to be arrogant, so his book was written almost exclusively for the elite and rich. Some people claim that only 50 people in history have been able to understand his style of writing. Despite his arrogance, he truly was a father in the field of science. At the age of 18, he had devised a new system of mathematics called Calculus, and developed three laws which resulted in a new way of understanding motion. In the 'Principia', Newton claimed to have "discovered" gravity when an apple fell on his head. However, many now believe that this was just a story told by Newton, and that in real life, he discovered gravity through thinking - not seeing. Isaac Newton, like some other great scientists and pioneers of knowledge, is believed to have been autistic. This trait may have provided these remarkable people with those qualities which may have been necessary for their great accomplishments in science and art, like Einstein and Leonardo da Vinci. Check that you understand what these words mean in this document To compile: to gather together. Masterpiece: an excellent piece of work. Arrogant: very proud of oneself. Elite: the highest classes of society. To devise: to invent. Pioneer: a person who is first to do something important. Accomplishment: a great, successful action. For further reading visit: Isaac Newton