Isaac Newton vs Carl Friedrich Gauss
Two science prodigies, compared on what is actually documented: field, era, country and record. No invented numbers.
The record, side by side
| Isaac Newton | Carl Friedrich Gauss | |
| Field | Science | Science |
| Sub-field | Economics | Physics |
| Born | 1643 | 1777 |
| Died | 1727 | 1855 |
| Country of birth | ENG | - |
| Star sign | Capricorn | Taurus |
Who they are
Isaac Newton
Calculus Invented at 23 · Principia Mathematica 1687 · Universal Gravitation Three laws of motion · Optics & spectrum of light · Lucasian Professor · Master of the Royal Mint Born January 4, 1643 · Lincolnshire, England · Died March 31, 1727
Full biography of Isaac Newton →
Carl Friedrich Gauss
Proved the prime number theorem at age 18 Regular 17-gon construction at 19 · Gaussian distribution · Disquisitiones Arithmeticae Born April 30, 1777 · Brunswick, Germany · Died February 23, 1855
Full biography of Carl Friedrich Gauss →
What they share
- Both are held here under Science.
Where they part
- 134 years separate their births (1643 and 1777).
- Their lifetimes never overlapped.
Questions people ask
- Who came first, Isaac Newton or Carl Friedrich Gauss?
- Isaac Newton. Isaac Newton was born in 1643, Carl Friedrich Gauss in 1777.
- What field is each of them in?
- Isaac Newton is filed under Science (Economics). Carl Friedrich Gauss is filed under Science (Physics).
- Were they contemporaries?
- No - their lifetimes do not overlap.