He was a key figure in the philosophical revolution known as the Enlightenment. Sir Isaac Newton ( Janu– Maor in Old Style: Decem– March 20, 1727) was an English mathematician, physicist, astronomer, alchemist, theologian, and author (described in his time as a ' natural philosopher'), widely recognised as one of the greatest mathematicians and physicists and among the most influential scientists of all time. The understanding of the composition of earth and the elements that define it allow a greater respect for the place that we are blessed to live in.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 sea-shore, and diverting myself in now and then finding a smoother pebble or a prettier shell than ordinary, whilst the great ocean of truth lay all undiscovered before me.

Through his reasoning, the way in which the world works the orbit of the planets, the composition of light and the laws of motion and gravity has been explained. One of the main reasons that Newton’s theories have made such a great impact on society as opposed to the discoveries made by other scientists, owes greatly to the fact that his contributions to science have helped to explain the world around us.Likewise, in the modern day-to-day age, Newton influences the discoveries made as his theories and laws are included in the curriculum taught to today’s students, laying a foundation for the findings that are yet to be found.His invention of the refracting telescope has inspired the Hubble Space Telescope one of NASA's modern creations.Thus, Newton indirectly influenced the discoveries made by later scientists like these, including Lagrange’s contributions to calculus of variations and his solution of polynomial equations, as well as Einstein’s special theory of relativity. His ideas would go on to inspire other influential figures such as Joseph-Louis Lagrange and Albert Einstein.The theories that dominated the fields of science, astronomy, physics and the natural world weren't limited to what was expressed in these written works. His ‘ Philosophiae Naturalis Principis Mathematica’ laid the foundations for classical mechanics, as well as becoming the cornerstone of the Scientific Revolution and ‘ The Opticks ’ created doorways of understanding into the properties of light.So, it seems to be safe to say that the contribution that Isaac Newton has made, not only to the scientific community, but to society as a whole, is extensive.

“Newtonian” is a term that has been used for generations to describe the bodies of knowledge that owe their existence to his theories. Another may be ‘inspiring’, or ‘powerful’. When discussing Newton’s impact on society and his influence on the scientific community, one of the words that may come to your mind is ‘significant’.

Opticks by Isaac Newton