Memoirs of the Life, Writings, and Discoveries of Sir Isaac Newton

Volume 2

Bibliographic Data

ID23501393
AuthorsDavid Brewster (0000-0002-2623-3780)
Year2012
Publication date2012-01-01
Open AccessNo
TypeBOOK
VenueMemoirs of the Life, Writings, and Discoveries of Sir Isaac Newton (SOURCE_BOOK)
PublisherCambridge University Press (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1017/cbo9780511792687
ISBN9780511792687
Open LibraryOL34470084M
LanguageEN
Citations received13

Sir David Brewster (1781–1868) was a Scottish physicist, mathematician, astronomer, inventor, and writer of international reputation. His biography of Sir Isaac Newton, published in 1855 and reissued in 1860, was the result of over twenty years' research, undertaken while publishing hundreds of scientific papers of his own. Brewster made use of previously unknown correspondence by Newton, and his own scientific interests, particularly in optics, meant that he was able to understand and explain Newton's work. It covered the many facets of Newton's personality and work, remaining the best available study of Newton for over a century. Brewster reveals much about the science of his own time in his handling of earlier centuries, and as a cleric was obviously uncomfortable about the evidence of Newton's unorthodox religious views and alchemical studies. Volume 2 covers the period from the dispute with Leibniz to Newton's death, and considers his posthumous reputation.

1642-1727 · Newton, isaac, sir