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English Civil War
War fought between the supporters of King Charles I and opposing groups. Source: (Grun & Stein) Timetables of History -
Isaac Newton is Born
On January 4th, 1642, Isaac Newton was born in Woolsthrope, England at the Woolsthrope Manor. Isaac was named after his father who died before his birth. Interestingly, Isaac was born the same year that Galileo Galilei died. Source: (Christianson 147) -
The Restoration
Charles II becomes King of England after his father, Charles I, was beheaded. Source: (Grun & Stein) Timetables of History -
Enters Trinity College, Cambridge
Starting in June, at the age of 18, Isaac began studying for a law degree at Cambridge University's Trinity College. Here is where he would make most of his major discoveries and research. Source: (Christianson 147) -
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Great Plague of London
Bubonic plague breaks out in London killing an estimated 75,000 to 100,000 people. -
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Begins Revolutionary Work in mathematics, optics, and physics
At the age of 22, Isaac was in his fourth year of college when he made his first major discovery in mathematics called the generalized binomial theorem. In the same here he was also awarded his B.A degree. In the following years he continued to make discoveries such as calculus, gravity, and optics/ the behavior of light. These discoveries later helped him create
the first reflecting telescope. Source: (Christianson 147) -
Appointed as Lucasian Professor of Mathematics
Isaac Barrow, the Lucasian Professor of Mathematics at Trinity College, resigned and dedicated his position to Isaac Newton. At the time, Newton had just recieved his M.A degree the year before and was 26. Barrow himself said,"Mr. Newton, a fellow of our College, and very young, being but the second year master of arts; but of an extraordinary genius and proficiency." Source: (Christianson 147) -
Made a Member of the Royal Society
The Royal Society was impressed by Isaac Newton's reflecting telescope shown to them in 1671, so they encouraged him to publish his notes on optics and color the following year. He was then made a member of the Royal Society but faced the criticism of another great scientist, Robert Hooke. Hooke's studies on optics contradicted Newton's. Source: (Christianson 147) -
Principia is published
The Principia introduced people to Newton's three laws of motion and the nature of gravity. It reveived much criticism and eventually had to be republished in 1713. Source: (Christianson 147) -
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The Glorious Revolution
Also known as The Bloodless Revolution, this overthrew James II's rule of England. Instead his daughter, Mary, and her dutch husband, William of Orange, replaced him. Later, parliament was given power over the royal family, setting a path towards
a constitutional monarchy. Source: (Grun & Stein) Timetables of History Source: (Grun & Stein) Timetables of History -
Suffers from Nervous Breakdown
Newton suffers from a complete nervous breakdown which leads him to depression, insomnia, and poor digestion. It is also said that letters to friends showed irrationality. Source: (Christianson 147) -
Appointed Master of the Mint
After the death of the Master of the Mint, Newton took his place, being warden of the mint at the time. He reorganized the mint, bringing in new equipment, and applying his mathematics to set new standards for currency. Source: (Christianson 147) -
Elected President of the Royal Society
Newton is elected as president of the Royal Society after the death of The Lord Somers. He quickly made enemies with John Flamsteed because he prematurely published his work. Source: (Christianson 147) -
Opticks Published
Opticks analyzes the fundamental nature of light and the behavior of color mixtures with spectral lights. It also talks about the refraction and diffraction of light. Source: (Christianson 147) -
New Orleans founded in Norrth America
The French founded the colony of New Orleans in North America. This territory is later sold by Napoleon to the American colonists in the early 1800's. This was called the Louisiana Purchase. Source: (Grun & Stein) Timetables of History -
Slavery Abolished in Russia
Peter the Great converts household slaves to house serfs. -
Isaac Newton Dies
Isaac Newton dies at the age of 83 in March of 1727 in London. He lost conciousness after having pains in his abdomen, and never regained conciousness. Source: (Christianson 147)
