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Newton, Isaac (1642–1727) English physicist and mathematician who dominated and revolutionized mathematics and physics in the 17th century. He was responsible for the essentials of the calculus, the theory of mechanics, the law of gravity, the theory of planetary motion, the binomial series, Newton's method in numerical analysis, and many important results in the theory of equations. A morbid dislike of criticism held him back from publishing much of his work. For example, in 1684, Edmond Halley suggested to Newton that he investigate the law of attraction that would yield Kepler's laws. Newton replied immediately that it was the inverse square law—he had worked that out years earlier. Rather startled by this, Halley set to work to persuade Newton to publish his results. This Newton eventually did in the form of his Principia, published in 1687.
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