Full name: Isaac Newton Born: 4th January 1643 Place of Birth: Lincolnshire Occupation: Physician and Mathematician Died: 20th March 1727

As one of the most influential scientists in history, Isaac Newton was a physician and mathematician born on 4th January 1643 in Lincolnshire.  It was believed that Newton had Asberger syndrome, which is thought to be a contributing to factor to his intense focus on very specific subjects.  Newton attended The King's School in Grantham in Lincolnshire and studied further at Trinity College at the University of Cambridge. 

Newton developed an interest in Mathematics, astronomy, optics and physics whilst studying at Cambridge but he was forced to leave the university due to an outbreak of plague, which allowed him to use his time productively to begin considering the concept of gravity and the idea of calculus in mathematics.

On his return to Cambridge University, Newton became a fellow of Trinity College in 1667 and he was appointed second Lucasian Professor of Mathematics and fellow of the Royal Society after capturing the attention of scientists with his theories regarding the refraction of light and his refracting telescope, which is known today as the Newtonian telescope.

During the 1660s, Newton began researching optics and made the discovery that white light is made up of a system of colours.  The discovery lead him to publish 'The Opticks' and in 1687, after years of research, Newton published the 'Philosophiae Naturalis Principia Mathematica' (Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy) with the help of his friend Edmond Halley. 

The publication became known as Isaac Newton's greatest publication and the greatest work in the history of science, which described, in depth, the theory of gravity and the three laws of motion.

Later in his life, Newton became an MP for Cambridge University and was appointed by the British Government as warden and master of the Royal Mint, during which time, he campaigned against corruption.  Newton retired as professor of Cambridge University and decided to focus his efforts at the Royal Mint to assist in reforming the currency, which prompted Queen Anne to award Newton a Knighthood in 1705. 

Newton also became President of the Royal Society in 1703 and was awarded professorship at the University of Edinburgh, Scotland.  As a leading scientist across Britain and Europe, Newton's work is still regarded as highly influential today. 

Sir Isaac Newton died in March 1727 at the age of 84 and was buried at Westminster Abbey.