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Newton’s groundbreaking Principia may have been more popular than previously thought

Researchers found over 300 copies of the book’s first edition

copy of Isaac Newton’s Principia

New research has more than doubled the number of known original copies of one of the most famous books in the history of science, Isaac Newton’s Principia (one copy shown).

Caltech Archives

By Emily Conover

- More than 2 years ago

Isaac Newton’s 17th century book, the Principia, gave the famed English scientist a reputation: “[T]here goes the man that writt a book that neither he nor any body else understands,” a Cambridge student is said to have remarked as Newton passed by one day.