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Isaac Newton was indisputably one of the greatest scientists in history. His achievements in mathematics and physics marked the culmination of the movement that brought modern science into being. Richard Westfall's biography captures in engaging detail both his private life and scientific career, presenting a complex picture of Newton the man, and as scientist, philosopher, theologian, alchemist and public figure, President of the Royal Society and Warden of the Royal Mint. An abridged version of his magisterial study Never at Rest, this concise biography is now published for the first time in paperback and makes Westfall's highly acclaimed portrait of Newton newly accessible to general readers.
Acknowledgements
A note about dates
1. A sober, silent, thinking lad
2. The solitary scholar
3. Anni Mirabilis
4. Lucasian professor
5. Publication and crisis
6. Rebellion
7. Years of silence
8. Principia
9. Revolution
10. The Mint
11. President of the Royal Society
12. The priority dispute
13. Years of decline
Biographical essay
Index
"That this is the best biography of Newton is easily and truthfully said [...] surely no one is going to repeat Westfall's immense and shrewdly conducted task in this century at least."
– New Scientist
"[...] Westfall has organised his enormous task beautifully and done our most elusive worthy proud."
– M. Ratcliffe, The Times
"[...] It provides a masterly, well-documented summary of contemporary views of all the many facets of Newton's astoundingly wide-ranging career [...] and will be essential reading for aspiring Newtonian scholars."
– Marie Boas Hall, Nature
"Altogether, this book should be considered an indispensable acquisition for any intelligent reader's bookshelf [...] excellent value for money."
– Webb Society Quarterly Journal
