Woolsthorpe Manor, Lincolnshire, the birthplace of Isaac Newton (1642-1727). The house came into the Newton family in 1623, when it was purchased by Robert Newton. It was passed on to his son, Isaac Newton senior, as a wedding dowry. Isaac senior died in October 1642, two months before the birth of his son, also named Isaac. Isaac Newton junior became one of the most influential scientists in history. After going up to Cambridge, Newton rarely returned to Woolsthorpe, but did so in 1665-7 to escape the bubonic plague. It was during this time that he formulated his 'Method of Fluxions' (the Calculus), and postulated his theory of universal gravitation.