Sir Isaac Newton (1642 – 1727) was an English scholar most famous for his work in physics, including his laws of motion, proposal of universal gravitation, and studies of optics, but was also very active in alchemy and Biblical scholarship – as well having spent time as a politician and Warden/Master of the Royal Mint. His Philosophiæ Naturalis Principia Mathematica (mathematical principle of natural philosophy, viz. science), generally referred to simply as his Principia, is considered one of the foundational texts of modern science. Newton is often considered one of the most important scientists of all time. For over two decades he was President of the Royal Society.
