The Isaac Newton Institute

The Isaac Newton Institute for Mathematical Sciences is an international research institute running a series of visitor programmes across the spectrum of the mathematical sciences. Established in 1992, the 350th anniversary of Newton's birth, INI has no direct historical links with Newton, but was named after him because of his great achievements in the fields of mathematics, optics, physics and astronomy. INI continues in this tradition of crossing the boundaries between scientific disciplines.

INI is often asked about Newton's life and work. The INI Library has a collection of books about Newton which are available for INI participants or the general public by arrangement. There are many excellent and informative websites about Newton's life and works to help you find out more about Sir Isaac Newton.

Biography

• Isaac Newton's life from Microsoft Encarta by A. Rupert Hall
• Entry for Newton by Richard S. Westfall from the Galileo Project, which places Newton in context with his scientific contemporaries
• Sir Isaac Newton (1642 - 1727) taken from A Short Account of the History of Mathematics by W. W. Rouse Ball (4th Edition, 1908) (Detailed and authoritative biography with high mathematical content)
• Newton Excellent biography with lots of links to related topics and a detailed list of references (Part of the MacTutor History of Mathematics archive at the University of St Andrews)

Newton's Birthplace and Schooling

• Woolsthorpe Manor, Lincolnshire Illustrated guide to Newton's birthplace from the 'Tour UK' site
• The National Trust has an entry for Woolsthorpe Manor, giving opening hours, directions etc
• Isaac Newton's School in Grantham

Newton at Cambridge

• Trinity College contains about five portraits of Newton and the famous statue by Roubiliac can be seen in the Chapel. The rooms Newton occupied when he was a Fellow can be seen externally but not entered.
• The Wren Library at Trinity College contains the largest intact portion of Newton's library, and some correspondence and papers, which can be viewed by appointment. It also contains two busts of Newton (including one by Roubiliac), a display of Newton memorabilia (including walking sticks, watches, mathematical instruments and a lock of hair) and a stained glass window by Cipriani (1771) depicting an allegorical scene in which Newton is presented to George III. These can be seen during opening hours or by appointment.
• Cambridge University Library holds the most complete collection of Newton's scientific papers, which are available via Cambridge Digital Library
• The Keynes' Collection in the Modern Archive Centre at King's College contains many of Newton's non-scientific manuscripts, bequeathed to King's by JM Keynes (viewing by appointment)
• The Whipple Museum contains a replica Newtonian reflecting telescope, and a number of portraits of Newton
• An Isaac Newton Exhibition entitled Footprints of the Lion ran at Cambridge University Library in 2002

Newton's Works

• Newton's 'Principia' Book Two, Lemma II - Latin or English text, in a variety of electronic formats, from the History of Mathematics site at Trinity College, Dublin
• The Newton Project - Created in 1998, the Newton Project seeks to make facsimiles and transcriptions of Newton's manuscripts available in electronic form and to display their original connections, along with full documentation relating to Newton's reading such as written notes and annotations
• The Astronomy Web Syllabus at the University of Tennessee, a clear, accessible and well-illustrated guide to Newton's laws, contains the following resources:
  • Newton's Three Laws of Motion
  • Sir Isaac Newton: The Universal Law of Gravitation
  • Sir Isaac Newton and the Unification of Physics & Astronomy
• The Physics of Classic Pullback Cars - Newton's second law of motion explained with the example of pull-back motors in toy cars; also other links on acceleration, gravity, speed and velocity

Newton's Monument

Newton died at Kensington on 20 March 1727 and was buried in Westminster Abbey on 28 March. Newton's Monument dates from 1731. It was designed by William Kent and was executed by Michael Rysbrack.

For Children

• BBC History - detailed biographical summary from a historical perspective
• Science Rhymes - fun and facts packed in poems for children; features a poem about Isaac Newton and his three laws of motion by Celia Berrell