Newton is one of the undisputed greatest scientists in history. His achievements in mathematics and physics marked the peak of the formation of modern science. James Gleick details Newton's personal life and complex journey as a scientist, philosopher, theologian, alchemist, and as a celebrity--President of the Royal Society and Director of the Mint. Isaac Newton (1642-1727), British physicist, astronomer and mathematician, was born in Lincolnshire. In terms of astronomy, Newton created the reflecting telescope in 1672; he also explained the phenomenon of tides, pointing out that the size of tides is not only related to the synodic moon, but also to the gravity of the sun; in addition, Newton theoretically speculated that the earth is not a sphere, but slightly flattened at the poles and slightly bulging at the equator, and thus explained the precession phenomenon.
