Isaac Newton

Isaac Newton (1643-1727) was an English mathematician and physicist. His Principia, first published in 1687, set out his theory of gravitation and his three laws of motion. He left Cambridge for London in 1696 to become Warden of the Mint. He had earlier been a Member of Parliament for the University in 1689 and again in 1701.

Trinity College

Newton was admitted to Trinity College in June 1661 and was elected a fellow there in October 1667. In 1669 he succeeded Isaac Barrow as Lucasian Professor of Mathematics. In April 1705 Queen Anne knighted him during a royal visit to the college. The tree in New Court is often linked to the falling-apple story, but that is a myth: Newton was at his Woolsthorpe home when he worked out his theory of gravity, and the tree is a horse chestnut.

Wren Library

The Wren Library at Trinity holds Newton's first-edition copy of the Principia, with handwritten notes for the second edition. The library itself was designed by Christopher Wren and completed in 1695. A stained-glass window completed in 1775 shows him being presented to George III.

Stourbridge Common

In 1665, while a student, Newton visited Stourbridge Fair, held on Stourbridge Common, and bought a copy of Euclid's Elements. He used it to teach himself mathematics. The first fair on the common was held in 1211. A modern revival of the fair, begun in 2004, is a free community event.

Cambridge University Botanic Garden

Between 1954 and February 2022 the Cambridge University Botanic Garden had a Flower of Kent apple tree grown from a cutting of the tree linked to Newton's story of gravity. Storm Eunice blew it down on 19 February 2022.

Mathematical Bridge

A popular story says Newton designed the Mathematical Bridge at Queens' College, where its official name is the Wooden Bridge. He died in 1727, twenty-two years before it was built in 1749, and William Etheridge designed it.

Visiting

The Wren Library is open to the public with no admission charge, though opening times are limited. Guided tours led by the college Porters run daily at 10:00 and 14:00, priced at £10 per person with children under 12 free.