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First edition in English of the Principia, and a particularly tall copy. The first edition was published in Latin in 1687 and "is generally described as the greatest work in the history of science. Copernicus, Galileo and Kepler had certainly shown the way; but where they described the phenomena they observed, Newton explained the underlying universal laws. The Principia provided the greatest synthesis of the cosmos, proving finally its physical unity. Newton showed that the important and dramatic aspects of nature that were subject to the universal law of gravitation could be explained, in mathematical terms, with a single physical theory. With him the separation of the natural and supernatural, of sublunar and superlunar worlds disappeared. The same laws of gravitation and motion rule everywhere; for the first time a single mathematical law could explain the motion of objects on earth as well as the phenomena of the heavens. The whole cosmos is composed of inter-connecting parts influencing each other according to these laws. It was this grand conception that produced a general revolution in human thought, equalled perhaps only by that following Darwin's Origin of Species. [Newton] is generally regarded as one of the greatest mathematicians of all time and the founder of mathematical physics" (PMM 161). This first English translation, published two years after Newton's death, was prepared by Andrew Motte (1696-1734), the son of the publisher Benjamin Motte Sr. and brother of the printer Benjamin Motte Jr. The translation is based on the 1726 third edition of the Latin text, edited by Henry Pemberton, and is dedicated to Sir Hans Sloane as President of the Royal Society. The first book, 'De Motu Corporum' (On the motion of bodies), applies the laws of motion to the behaviour of bodies in various orbits. The second book continues with the motion of bodies in fluids and with the behaviour of fluids themselves. In the third book 'De Mundi Systemate' (On the system of the world) Newton applies the Law of Universal Gravitation to the motion of planets, the Moon and comets. Newton derives Kepler's laws of planetary motion from this system and shows how a range of phenomena are governed by the same set of natural laws, including the behaviour of Earth's tides and the precession of the equinoxes, although Newton failed to account fully for the irregularities in the Moon's motion caused by the gravitational influence of the Sun. Motte's translation includes John Machin's 'The laws of the Moon's motion according to gravity,' published here for the first time. Machin, who was highly thought of by Newton, was probably closely involved in the preparation of the translation. The frontispiece to volume I shows the apotheosis of Newton, and quotes four lines from Halley's preliminary verses to the original edition of Principia, that to volume II shows a pendulum and has two references to the text, one in the scholium generale. Two vols., 8vo (200 x 120 mm), pp. [38], 320, [2], 393, [13], viii, 71, [1], with 2 engraved frontispieces by A. Motte, 2 folding letterpress tables, 47 folding engraved plates (numbered 1-25, 1-19 and 3 unnumbered), and 3 engraved head-pieces by Motte (titles a bit soiled, occasional light browning and foxing, pale dampstain to lower margins of last few leaves of vol. II). Modern half-calf and marbled boards, spines gilt with red lettering-pieces. Library stamps of the Brassey Institute, Hastings, on titles, plates, and the margins of a few leaves of text. WE HAVE DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCE FROM THIS LIBRARY THAT THE BOOK WAS DEACCESSIONED PROPERLY AND THAT THE LIBRARY WILL NOT LAY CLAIM TO IT IN THE FUTURE.

"The Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy," commonly known as "Principia," is a monumental scientific work by Sir Isaac Newton, first published in 1687. This magnum opus encompasses Newton's groundbreaking theories on mechanics, motion, and gravity, fundamentally altering scientific paradigms. Newton formulated three laws of motion, elucidating the relationships between force, mass, and acceleration. These laws laid the foundation for classical mechanics, outlining how objects move under the influence of external forces. The first law states that an object remains at rest or moves at a constant velocity unless acted upon by an external force. The second law introduces the concept of force, asserting that force equals mass multiplied by acceleration (F = ma). The third law describes action and reaction, stating that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. However, Newton's most influential contribution was his law of universal gravitation. He proposed that every particle of matter attracts every other particle with a force proportional to their masses and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between their centers. This law explained not only the motion of celestial bodies but also the falling of objects on Earth, unifying celestial and terrestrial mechanics. Newton's Principia revolutionized scientific thought by providing a mathematical framework to describe and predict the motion of objects in the universe. It presented a systematic approach to understanding natural phenomena, marking a departure from earlier qualitative explanations. Newton's work profoundly influenced subsequent scientific inquiry, serving as a cornerstone for further developments in physics and astronomy. Moreover, Principia's impact extended beyond the scientific community, inspiring advancements in various fields. Its emphasis on empirical evidence and mathematical rigor became a model for scientific investigation, fostering a culture of systematic observation and experimentation. The legacy of "The Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy" endures as one of the most influential scientific works in history, shaping the foundations of modern physics and serving as a testament to Newton's genius and contribution to humanity's understanding of the natural world.