The Churchill Series - Feb. 9, 2006

A blogger friend posted concerning an article in today’s London Times:

A manuscript charting the birth of modern science that was lost for centuries has been rediscovered at the bottom of a cupboard.

The 520-page document, an account of meetings and debates at the Royal Society from 1661 to 1691, was written by Robert Hooke, one of the foremost 17th-century scientists and a bitter enemy of Sir Isaac Newton. It is described as the “discovery of a generation”.

The rest of the article is here.

Of course, you’ll all read it. But what does it have to do with Churchill, you’re asking?

Well, for one thing, in those recurring “Greatest Briton” polls Churchill and Newton usually go neck and neck for “first past the post.” Both greats have had their wins.

Here are some recent race results as reported in the Datelines section of Finest Hour’s Autumn, 2003 edition (p.6). (pdf)

Scientist Sir Isaac Newton triumphed in a poll for the greatest Briton conducted with an international audience.

Viewers of BBC World voted the discoverer of gravity as the most respected Briton, ahead of Churchill who was voted the greatest Briton in a similar UK-wide poll last year. Sir Isaac polled 21.4% of the online audience. Sir Winston was second with 17%.

The apple doesn’t fall far … oh never mind.

Curchillians will have no trouble congratulating our Newtonian friends. Their man is a very worthy candidate.

I've only one small criticism of the Newtonians. They approach these contests with a bit too much gravity.