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Isaac Newton is known for discovering the three laws of motion, but he also solved what was left to be discovered of the mysteries of optics (light). He and a German mathematician, Leibniz, invented the branch of math known as calculus. Newton, in reality invented it first but was a afraid of ridicule so he did not publish his findings. When Leibniz with almost exactly the same methods as Newton's, Isaac published a book and scientists realized their error in giving Leibniz full credit for inventing calculus. In combining both methods Sir Newton came up with calculus.
In 1661 he went to Trinity College at Cambridge University. Isaac graduated with a bachelor's degree in 1665. After almost a two-year absence for fear of a plague that was spreading in the area he came back and got his master's degree in 1668. A year later he received the position of Lucasian Professor of Mathematics at Cambridge.
When Newton published an article on optics and explained the idea of light being a prism of colors he was ridiculed and criticized, bringing back his earlier fears of publication. When he wrote another article explaining his ideas in more detail he was commended for it.
Newton studies in solitude for many years after he was criticized for his article on optics until an English astronomer and mathematician, Edmund Halley, visited him and discussed gravity in the universe. This intrigued and inspired Newton and he returned to his studies. Two years later ho discovered the three laws of motion and therefore solved some problems of gravity. He published a book on this in 1687 and was never left alone long enough to o back to his solitary studies. Robert Hooke charged Sir Isaac with plagiarism but the public did not accept the charges.
In 1693 Isaac became very ill with an emotional disorder. He recovered but that was the end of his career as a scientist. Later Newton was elected president of the Royal Society in London. Upon receiving this position he ordered that John Flamsteed's publication on his observations of astronomy be published. However, it was not for the sake of Flamsteed. Isaac needed it to support his lunar theories. Needless to say, Newton and Flamsteed had a little encounter shortly after the book was published. Flamsteed died before they could resolve their quarrel. That was not the only under-handed thing Sir Isaac did. He also framed Leibniz for plagiarism by secretly writing the report when the topic was investigated. That case carried out almost until his death in 1727.
Newton also had an interest in alchemy, mysticism, and mythology. When scientists studied his notes they found many pages devoted to these topics. Maybe they were only of personal interests or perhaps a master discovery in disguise that was never uncovered, but no matter what it was there were no traces of it in any of his many achievements.
Newton was a genius inventor, scientist, and mathematician but he wasn't necessarily very honest about it. Nevertheless, he contributed a great deal to the world of science and mathematics, and for his accomplishments the world can never thank him enough.
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