Eight Unknown Facts About Sir Isaac Newton

Eight Unknown Facts About Sir Isaac Newton

His Birth Was Premature

Isaac Newton wasn't expected to survive as he was born prematurely. It is said that he was so small when he was born that he could have fit inside a quart mug.

He Was Almost a Farmer

Newton's mother insisted that he becomes a farmer when he was 17 because he was born in a farming family. If it weren't for his uncle, he would have never attended Trinity College in Cambridge.

He Kept His Publications Secret

Although majority of Newton's discoveries were made when he was in his early to mid twenties, he didn't publish them until many years later. This resulted in many arguments over credit.

The True Story About Newton and His Apple

We always heard of a story that Newton was walking around his garden at Woolsthorpe Manor when he saw a falling apple, inspired by which he formulated the theory of universal gravitation. But Newton himself said that he was in his house staring through the window when he saw an apple fall from a tree.

Newton Was an Alchemist

Newton had a secret interest in alchemy. His studies regarding alchemy (the making of gold and silver from a base metal) were kept secret as it was a crime under an act of 1404. He recorded his studies in willfully cryptic language.

Newton Was Extremely Religious

Even though people use Newton's work, particularly the law of motion and universal gravitation to argue against the existence of God, Newton himself was extremely religious. He used to say that, "Gravity explains the motions of the planets, but it cannot explain who set the planets in motion. God governs all things and knows all that is or can be done." Despite his deep religious belief, Newton didn't believe the existence of spirits and ghosts.

Newton Was Passionate About The Bible

Newton was so passionate about Bible that he wrote more about religion than about science and mathematics! He calculated the date of the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ as April 3, A.D. 33. He even predicted that the Jews would return to Israel. He was also passionate to find the hidden meanings in the Bible.

As a Politician He Uttered Just One Sentence

Newton served as a Member of Parliament for exactly one year (1689 - 1690). During all the lengthy proceedings, he spoke only once: he asked a nearby person to close an open window!