Isaac Newton was born on December 25, 1642 in Woolsthorpe, England, the same year Galileo died. Newton is clearly the most influential scientist who ever lived. His accomplishments in mathematics, optics, and physics laid the foundations for modern science and revolutionized the world.As mathematician, Newton invented integral calculus, and jointly with Leibnitz, differential calculus. He also calculated a formula for finding the velocity of sound in a gas which was later corrected by Laplace.
Newton made a huge impact on theoretical astronomy. He defined the laws of motion and universal gravitation which he used to predict precisely the motions of stars, and the planets around the sun. Using his discoveries in optics Newton constructed the first reflecting telescope.
Newton found science a hodgepodge of isolated facts and laws, capable of describing some phenomena, and predicting only a few. He left it with a unified system of laws, that could be applied to an enormous range of physical phenomena, and used to make exact predications. Newton published his works in two books, namely "Opticks" and "Principia."
Newton died in 1727 and was buried in Westminster Abbey, the first scientist to be accorded this honor. A review of an encyclopedia of science will reveal at least two to three times more references to Newton than any other individual scientist. A 18th century poem written about Sir Isaac Newton states it best:
"Nature and Nature's laws lay hid in night: God said, Let Newton be! and all was light." - Alexander Pope.