The Royal Society discovered long lost notes belonging to Sir Isaac Newton. Newton’s notes on the pseudoscience of alchemy were found following his death in 1727 The Royal Society said there were never “properly documented” and sold for a measly 15 pounds ($27) in 1936 at Sotheby’s and hadn’t been seen since.
The Royal Society’s recent mission has been to catalog and organize their vast collection of knowledge and thoughts left with them through the centuries by such scientists as Newton.
Alchemy was a science based on converting various metals into gold or silver. The problem many scientists investigating the matters were plagued with was that the making of gold and silver was quite illegal.
While Newton’s notes are written in English, the Royal Society pointed out these notes were also written in some type of code as to through observers off a little bit if the notes were read.
Stephen Cox, Executive Secretary of the Royal Society, said in a press release, “Such an intriguing find highlights the sheer volume of fascinating materials contained in the Royal Society’s library and archive. Our ongoing task is to ensure that the materials we hold are all identified and catalogued. This will allow historians and the public to fully access our great wealth of papers and artefacts from some of the most famous scientists in history. At the Summer Science Exhibition, alongside the many exhibits featuring the cutting-edge science of today, people can find displays throughout the building of the legacy that past Fellows have left behind, including these papers from Isaac Newton.”
The Royal Society Summer Science Exhibition in London will display Newton’s Notes starting July 4th.
John Stith is a staff writer for Murdok covering technology and business.
