Sir Isaac Newton

Sir Isaac Newton
(1643-1727)
By: Steve Boring

Isaac Newton was born prematurely on January 4, 1643 (according to the Gregorian Calendar) in Woolsthorpe, England (near Grantham in Lincolnshire). He was born to his mother, Hanna Ayscough Newton and his father who was also named Isaac. His father had died three months prior to Isaac Newton’s birth. Prior to 1582, most countries used the Julian Calendar. Some places may cite that Newton was born on Christmas day 1642. This date is according to the Julian Calendar which is why there is an eleven day difference between dates.

At three years old, Newton’s mother re-married to a wealthy minister named Barnabus Smith. Hanna moved in with Barnabus and wished to start a second family. She left Newton with his maternal grandmother until he was about twelve years old. Newton had a hatred toward his step-father being that he had taken Newton’s mother from him. Newton had an unhappy and resentful childhood. He was often angry which led to violent acts against others, friend or foe. This experience is thought of a cause to Newton’s complex character. In 1653, Barnabus died and Hanna returned to Woolsthorpe with three young children from her second marriage, though Newton denied any attention from her out of anger.

With the return of his mother, Newton was taken out of the King’s School in Grantham where he had attended become fascinated with chemistry, to chase his childhood dream of becoming a farmer. Newton was a failure at farming, but he wasn’t upset about it. He found farming to be monotonous. Newton returned to school to prepare for entrance to Trinity College in Cambridge. During his time in public school, Newton was considered to be absent-minded. Often his work was jaded and seemed to be lackluster in performance. Although, when he rejoined public school, he was motivated to be a better student by a school bully. During this time, it is said the he built sundials and windmills. At the King’s School, Isaac was mostly taught how to speak and write in Latin. Students did not learn much about mathematics in public schools at the time.