Isaac Newton (1643-1727) was an English physicist and mathematician. He was one of the foremost scientists of all time, knowing who could be inspirational. So, here we bring you some Issac Newton facts for kids that will help your child know about his life, education, family, contributions, inventions, discoveries, and renowned accomplishments that laid the foundation for several future research works. Introducing children to his science and technology development works will encourage and ignite young minds to be industrious and innovative. Read on as we take you through the personal and professional journey of one of the most renowned, respected, and ingenious personalities in human history.

Isaac Newton Biography

Early life

Isaac Newton was born into a puritan family in Woolsthorpe, Lincolnshire, England, on January 4, 1643 (December 25, 1642, according to the old Julian calendar). He was the only son of Isaac and Hannah Ayscough Newton. Isaac’s father died three months before his birth. Three years after his father’s death, his mother married the 63-year-old Barnabas Smith and moved with him, leaving Isaac under the care of his maternal grandparents (1).

Isaac Newton as a child

Isaac Newton’s mother and grandmother, who were literate, taught him how to read and write. In 1653, after Smith died, Hannah returned to Woolsthorpe with her three other children. Newton was enrolled in The King’s School Grantham, a free grammar school in Lincolnshire, where he was introduced to the fascinating world of chemistry. When Isaac was 12 years old, he was pulled out of school by his mother to become a farmer. He failed dismally and found farming boring. Later on, Hannah’s brother, the headmaster of the Grantham school, persuaded his mother to let Isaac pursue studies. Newton continued with his studies at Grantham, and in 1661, he joined Trinity College, where he was older than most of his classmates. 

College and career

In 1665, after completing his BA from Trinity College, he returned home because of the temporary closure of the university due to The Great Plaque.

The years 1665 and 1666 were the most productive years of his life. He laid the groundwork for his famous theories in mathematics, optics, physics, and astronomy, such as gravitation, calculus, optics, and laws of motion.

He returned to Cambridge in 1667, where he was elected as a Fellow of Trinity and later became the Lucasian Professor of Mathematics in 1669.

Newton was selected as a Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS) in 1672.

He published “Philosophiae Naturalis Principia Mathematica” (Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy), one of his primary research works that laid the foundations for classical mechanics in 1687. It is a work consisting of three books, which Newton prepared during The Great Plague.

In 1689, he was elected to the Parliament, where he served for one year.

He was appointed as Warden of the Mint in 1696 and as the Master of the Mint in 1700 (2).

Sir Isaac Newton family

Isaac Newton was born to Isaac Newton Sr. and Hannah Ayscough. He did not have any siblings of his own, but had three half-siblings from his mother’s second marriage — two half-sisters Hannah Smith Pilkington and Mary Smith, and a half-brother Benjamin Smith. Isaac Newton was not married and did not have any children. Towards the end of his life, Newton lived at Cranbury Park, near Winchester, England, with his niece, Catherine (Barton) Conduitt, and her husband, John Conduitt.

How Newton Became A Scientist

The works of outstanding thinkers and scientists such as Aristotle, Copernicus, Johannes Kepler, Rene Descartes, Hobbes, Boyle, and Galileo were said to have inspired Newton.

Legend has it that an apple falling from a tree inspired Newton to discover the law of gravity.

His laws of gravitation and motion are considered the basis of modern physics.

His reflecting telescope was a significant breakthrough in the field of optics.

He also discovered calculus as an innovative way of solving mathematical problems (3) (4).

Interesting Facts About Isaac Newton For Kids

Here are a few interesting facts about Isaac Newton you might not have known. a. Gravity b. Three laws of motion c. The oblate spheroidal shape of the Earth d. Newton’s method e. Calculus f. Reflecting telescope

Sir Isaac Newton: Famous Quotes

Isaac Newton Books For Kids

Here is a list of books about Newton for children to read. Newton passed away in his sleep at the age of 84 on March 20, 1727, and he was buried in Westminster Abbey, London. After his death, the analysis of his body and hair samples indicated the presence of mercury, which was probably due to his experiments. Hence, the cause of death is primarily mercury poisoning.

References:


title: “14 Fascinating Interesting Facts About Isaac Newton For Kids” ShowToc: true date: “2022-11-27” author: “Albert Ortiz”


Isaac Newton (1643-1727) was an English physicist and mathematician. He was one of the foremost scientists of all time, knowing who could be inspirational. So, here we bring you some Issac Newton facts for kids that will help your child know about his life, education, family, contributions, inventions, discoveries, and renowned accomplishments that laid the foundation for several future research works. Introducing children to his science and technology development works will encourage and ignite young minds to be industrious and innovative. Read on as we take you through the personal and professional journey of one of the most renowned, respected, and ingenious personalities in human history.

Isaac Newton Biography

Early life

Isaac Newton was born into a puritan family in Woolsthorpe, Lincolnshire, England, on January 4, 1643 (December 25, 1642, according to the old Julian calendar). He was the only son of Isaac and Hannah Ayscough Newton. Isaac’s father died three months before his birth. Three years after his father’s death, his mother married the 63-year-old Barnabas Smith and moved with him, leaving Isaac under the care of his maternal grandparents (1).

Isaac Newton as a child

Isaac Newton’s mother and grandmother, who were literate, taught him how to read and write. In 1653, after Smith died, Hannah returned to Woolsthorpe with her three other children. Newton was enrolled in The King’s School Grantham, a free grammar school in Lincolnshire, where he was introduced to the fascinating world of chemistry. When Isaac was 12 years old, he was pulled out of school by his mother to become a farmer. He failed dismally and found farming boring. Later on, Hannah’s brother, the headmaster of the Grantham school, persuaded his mother to let Isaac pursue studies. Newton continued with his studies at Grantham, and in 1661, he joined Trinity College, where he was older than most of his classmates. 

College and career

In 1665, after completing his BA from Trinity College, he returned home because of the temporary closure of the university due to The Great Plaque.

The years 1665 and 1666 were the most productive years of his life. He laid the groundwork for his famous theories in mathematics, optics, physics, and astronomy, such as gravitation, calculus, optics, and laws of motion.

He returned to Cambridge in 1667, where he was elected as a Fellow of Trinity and later became the Lucasian Professor of Mathematics in 1669.

Newton was selected as a Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS) in 1672.

He published “Philosophiae Naturalis Principia Mathematica” (Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy), one of his primary research works that laid the foundations for classical mechanics in 1687. It is a work consisting of three books, which Newton prepared during The Great Plague.

In 1689, he was elected to the Parliament, where he served for one year.

He was appointed as Warden of the Mint in 1696 and as the Master of the Mint in 1700 (2).

Sir Isaac Newton family

Isaac Newton was born to Isaac Newton Sr. and Hannah Ayscough. He did not have any siblings of his own, but had three half-siblings from his mother’s second marriage — two half-sisters Hannah Smith Pilkington and Mary Smith, and a half-brother Benjamin Smith. Isaac Newton was not married and did not have any children. Towards the end of his life, Newton lived at Cranbury Park, near Winchester, England, with his niece, Catherine (Barton) Conduitt, and her husband, John Conduitt.

How Newton Became A Scientist

The works of outstanding thinkers and scientists such as Aristotle, Copernicus, Johannes Kepler, Rene Descartes, Hobbes, Boyle, and Galileo were said to have inspired Newton.

Legend has it that an apple falling from a tree inspired Newton to discover the law of gravity.

His laws of gravitation and motion are considered the basis of modern physics.

His reflecting telescope was a significant breakthrough in the field of optics.

He also discovered calculus as an innovative way of solving mathematical problems (3) (4).

Interesting Facts About Isaac Newton For Kids

Here are a few interesting facts about Isaac Newton you might not have known. a. Gravity b. Three laws of motion c. The oblate spheroidal shape of the Earth d. Newton’s method e. Calculus f. Reflecting telescope

Sir Isaac Newton: Famous Quotes

Isaac Newton Books For Kids

Here is a list of books about Newton for children to read. Newton passed away in his sleep at the age of 84 on March 20, 1727, and he was buried in Westminster Abbey, London. After his death, the analysis of his body and hair samples indicated the presence of mercury, which was probably due to his experiments. Hence, the cause of death is primarily mercury poisoning.

References: