Isaac Newton the Last Sorcerer
by White, Michael
pub by Fourth Estate, London, 1997 - - isbn 1-85702-416-8 - - Introduction Truth Revealed p. 1-5 - - the narrative has 14 chapters - - Black and White photos between p. 182-183 - - References (by Chapter) p. 363 - 385 - - Index p. 387 - 402 - - picture credits p. 403 - - Total 403 p.
White presents what may be the most complete biography of Issac Newton to date.
Newton's father died before was born in 1642. After a few ears his mother re-married to a man of some wealth and she abandoned Isaac to live at their ancestral home to live with hew new husband. She had a few children with him and after the second husband died Isaac's mother moved back to her first home, Woolsthorp Manor, and lived with Issac. The feeling of abandonment never left him. He associated with an apothocary and learned about science and chemistry.
Isaac wanted to continue his studies and the apothocary convenced Newson's mother that it would be worth it to send him to Cambridge University instead of running the family lands.
Isaac Newton studied and became the 2nd Lucasian chair at Cambridge on 29 October 1669 when he was 26 years old.
Newton was a brillient scientist, but he had 2 dangerous secrets. 1. along with science he quite separately practiced Alchemy, which was forbiden by the government, and 2. He was an Arian in religion. There was a religious tolerence law in England with the exception of those professing an Arian belief or being a Catholic. Either one of these could have dire consequences. Newton was constantly in fear of being found-out.
He was also very protective of his scientific achievements and refused to share much with the newly formed Royal Academy. He was nominated to join, but almost passed on accepting.
His trusted friend was Edmund Halley. He feuded with Boylel, Hooke and many of the other scientists of the age.
After hiding in Cambridge for many years he came out and participated directly with the Royal Society. He was also appointed to the Royal Mint to solve a huge problem with counterfiting and coin clipping. He was ver industrious and made great strides to fix the problem. He had the power to sentence people to death for their crimes and often enoufh did so. Later he became the head of the Royal Society and kept that post until he died in Spring 1727.
This biography may be the most complete one written so far. It describes Isaac Newton with his strength and weaknesses. It is a thorough work and well worth reading for Newton himself and also it is a study of the ferment of the scientific times.

~2019-09-30~

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