The Gospel According to Newton

Newton’s drawing of the reflecting telescope
that brought him fame in 1668 – Cambridge
University Library, MS ADD 3970, fols. 591r–592v

Newton was thrust into the international scientific community in late 1671 with the unveiling of his sensational miniature reflecting telescope before the Royal Society of London. Gratified by the enthusiastic reception of his “toy,” Newton consented to publish his revolutionary theory of light and colors. The ensuing controversies over the verity of the theory made Newton vow never to appear in print again. Only owing to the considerable scientific and diplomatic skills of Edmond Halley did Newton agree to write, then publish, the Principia (1687). Seventeen more years elapsed before the Opticks (1704) finally appeared.

A replica of Newton’s telescope –
Courtesy of Adler Planetarium &
Astronomy Museum, Chicago, Illinois

Both works generated as much excitement as controversy. Subsequent editions clarified and elaborated on certain Newtonian concepts, as well as responded to criticisms. The eruption of the calculus priority dispute between Newton and Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz complicated the response to the two works, prejudicing Leibniz’s disciples against the central tenets of Newton’s masterpieces, and causing a rift between English and Continental mathematicians.

English translation of the Principia
(London, 1729) – Rare Books
Division, NYPL

Ironically, those very disciples proceeded to translate the Principia into the Leibnizian form of the calculus (differential equations), thus creating the necessary mathematical tools for the future assimilation and advancement of Newton’s ideas. Newton’s English disciples, for their part, began rendering the Opticks and, especially, the Principia into the more accessible format of commentaries, aimed at those with only a modicum of mathematical background.