Isaac Newton

Born prematurely in Lincolnshire (25 December Old Style; 4 January 1643 Gregorian). His father had died three months before his birth.

His mother Hannah married Reverend Barnabas Smith and moved away, leaving young Isaac to be raised by his maternal grandmother.

Attended the grammar school at Grantham, lodging with the apothecary Mr. Clarke, where he showed early aptitude for mechanical models.

Entered as a subsizar, paying his way through service. He immersed himself in the works of Descartes, Galileo, and other modern thinkers.

Graduated from Trinity College shortly before the university closed due to the Great Plague.

During the plague retreat at Woolsthorpe he developed early ideas on calculus, the theory of colors, and gravitation.

Succeeded Isaac Barrow to the prestigious Cambridge chair at the age of 26.

His reflecting telescope and a paper on light and colors brought him into the Society, sparking a long dispute with Robert Hooke.

Philosophiæ Naturalis Principia Mathematica, published with Edmond Halley's encouragement and funding, set out the laws of motion and universal gravitation.

Represented the University of Cambridge in the Convention Parliament following the Glorious Revolution.

Moved to London and oversaw the Great Recoinage, vigorously pursuing counterfeiters and clippers.

Assumed the senior and lucrative office, which he held for the remainder of his life.

Assumed leadership of the Society after Hooke's death, a post he retained until his own death.

Presented his experiments with prisms and the composition of white light, written largely in English rather than Latin.

Knighted at Trinity College, Cambridge—likely for political reasons—becoming Sir Isaac Newton.

A Royal Society committee, guided by Newton, ruled in his favor over Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz, defining a bitter late conflict.

Published a revised edition edited by Roger Cotes, including the famous "General Scholium" with his theological reflections.

Died in his sleep (Old Style; 31 March Gregorian) at Kensington and was buried with honors in Westminster Abbey.

The Chronology of Ancient Kingdoms Amended appeared after his death, reflecting his lifelong writings on history, theology, and prophecy.