Cambridge: Newton's legacy (Q2731647)

The object of this paper is to examine the chronology, nature and manner of the academic change in Cambridge during Newton's lifetime and later: how the last vestiges of the scholastic academic order vanished and the direct influence of Newton's example and principles unfolded. Isaac Barrow's Lucasian lectures on geometry and optics were published in 1669 and 1670, but those of Newton, his successor, delivered in 1670-72 remained unpublished in the University library until 1728. He attracted few students to his lecture room and was found largely incomprehensible, although at least one, Henry Wharton (1664-1695), was grateful for Newton's further instruction in mathematics `in his own private chamber' -- perhaps the first evidence of Newton's impact on Cambridge teaching. From 1689 until his withdrawal from Cambridge to become Warden to the Mint in London, Newton seems not to have lectured, but his successor William Whiston certainly did so with success. His 40 lectures on astronomy were published in 1707; those on the \textit{Principia} in 1710. Samuel Clarke (1675-1729), who was the first student in Cambridge to defend a Newtonian thesis in 1694, translated into Latin Jacques Rohault's \textit{Traité de Physique} (1671), the major work of Cartesian diffusion in French. This translation was a first introduction to Newtonian philosophy for several generations of students, due to footnotes expressing Newtonian refutations of the main text, increasing in force and number through successive editions, after the first one in 1697. Willem 'sGravesande's \textit{Physices Elementa} \dots \textit{Introductio ad Philosophiam Newtonam} (Leiden, 1720) was at once rendered into English and was much used at Cambridge despite the absence of mathematics. Several teaching Fellows were active Newtonians in Cambridge Colleges; their activity is described in the paper, like Newton's writings in disputations and Tripos examinations. By mid-century the genius of Newton was firmly impressed upon Cambridge, the `mathematical university'. Some comparisons with Oxford are made.