Isaac Newton

Scientist, mathematician and alchemist of 17th-18th century England. His Principia Mathematica described the laws of gravitation and motion. He is often credited with the invention of differential calculus; however the notation system used today was developed by Gottfried Wilhelm von Leibniz, who also invented differential calculus at about the same time. As warden of the Royal Mint, Newton led the charge to reform England's monetary system - an effort which earned him knighthood.