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Isaac Newton was born on Christmas morning, on December 25, 1642 in Woolsthorpe England. This home would become a stimulation to the mind of Newton and would be the home of many legendary idea, particularly gravity. (Christianson 10)
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In China, which was fairly disconnected from Newton and Europe, a change in the dynasty (ruling family) occurred near the beginning of Newton's life. Through battles and changes, a new dynasty arose in 1644, the Qing dynasty. (Historical/Cultural Timeline)
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During the early life of Newton, a European war was concluding, the Thirty Years' War. This was a brutal and deadly war that decreased the armies of many nations based upon religious differences. Eight million casualties were a result of the battle between Protestant and Catholic States. (Historical/Cultural Timeline)
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In 1661, Newton begins to attend Cambridge's Trinity College. Here he studies primarily physics and mathematics to prepare himself for his future successes. This education directly leads to his successes after leaving the school.
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After four years of attending Trinity College, Newton receives his degree. Conveniently, this occurs just before the spread of plague, allowing the degree to be completed before the school's closing. ("Significant Events in the Life of Isaac Newton")
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Due to the spread of disease, Trinity College is closed temporarily in the summer of 1665. During this time, he returns to his home in Woolsthorpe. On a daily basis, Newton sat beneath an apple tree in his yard. Here he thought about his many universal problems, solving many of them in his mental prime. Most notably, Newton managed to discover the connection and calculate exactly the force of gravity upon a falling apple and upon the moon. (Anderson 33)
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In 1669, Newton was elected into professorship at Trinity College. Being an introvert, he chose to only provide the minimum one lecture per week. But despite his genius teachings, very few students attended his lectures, causing him to spend the majority of his time attempting to discover more works of the universe. (Christianson 115)
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After many scientific breakthroughs, Newton attempted to stimulate his mind in politics and other work. In 1672, Newton joined the British Royal Society. Although primarily scientific, Newton joining the group of scientists to improve world knowledge was a step towards his later political endeavors.
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During a visit from fellow scientist and friend Edmund Halley, Newton is asked to help with solving the issue of the moons orbit. Having already solved this in 1666 but losing his calculations, Newton wrote a nine page paper to answer the question. Having his mind stimulated, Newton rebooted his work and compiled this knowledge into a three part book titled, "Philosophiae Naturalis Principia Mathematica".
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Newton continued his work in government when he was elected into the Convention Parliament, the elected body of England. Here he spoke little, only speaking once to request a window be closed. However, his presence and vote made him a power in England, and led to later works, while keeping the genius engaged in his work enough to maintain his sanity. (Thomas 61)
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During Newton's work, Peter the great became one of the greatest rulers in Russian History. After becoming czar, Peter modernized Russia by modelling the nation after the successful European countries. (Historical/Cultural Timeline)
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At the time of Newton's work, North America was being competitively colonized by the British and the French. At this point in time, the French were exploring and claiming land in the Ohio River Valley and west of that. (Historical/Cultural Timeline)
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After years in the Parliament and successful work as Warden of the Mint, Newton gained the position of Master of the Mint. Here he managed currency creation, and worked successfully for many years with his intense mathematical ability. (Anderson 90)
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In 1701, after the death of the childless Charles II, the throne of Spain was left open. This caused a war for the throne, all of which taking place during the work of Newton, who was virtually unaffected by the disputes in Continental Europe.(Historical/Cultural Timeline)
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As North America began growing economically, it became necessary to communicate information. This consistent need for advancement led to the printing of the first newspaper in the colonies, "Boston News Letter". (Historical/Cultural Timeline)
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Isaac Newton died on March 20, 1727 after falling into a coma a few days before. He continued to work in Parliament until his death, and said these words just before his passing, "I do not know what I may appear to the world, but to myself I seem to have been only like a boy, playing on the seashore, and diverting myself in now and then finding a smoother pebble or a prettier shell than ordinary, while the great ocean of truth lay all undiscovered before me." (Christianson 144)
