The prehistory of the <i>Principia</i> from 1664 to 1686
The prehistory of the <i>Principia</i> from 1664 to 1686
Since S.P. Rigaud’s pioneering Historical essay appeared in 18381 there have been many, from Rouse Ball, Cajori and Beth down to I.B. Cohen, A.R. Hall, J.W. Herivel and R.S. Westfall in our own day, who have explored how Newton’s Principia came to be. 2 Surely there can be nothing profoundly …