Newton Vs Leibniz Essay

During the late 17th century, Isaac Newton and Gottfried Leibniz both discovered calculus and partook in a rivalry that lasted until Leibniz’ death. During their heated rivalry, the two mathematicians as well as their supporters accused the other of plagiarism and blamed one another for starting the revelry. Before they were rivals, the two men sent letters to one another discussing their discoveries. Newton, wanting to keep his discoveries secret, would send messages containing anagrams. They kept in touch with one another until their mutual friend died in 1683. They both released their findings on calculus within few years of one another. Their dispute had not officially begun until 1699, when one of Newton’s close friends, Fatio de Duillier, called Newton the first inventor of calculus and implied that Leibniz had

The rivalry turned fierce in 1708 when John Keill, a friend of Newton, blatantly accused Leibniz of copying Newton. An angry Leibniz demanded an apology but instead received a letter which still accused him of copying Newton’s ideas. Leibniz accused Keill of attacking his honor and wanted the Royal Society to take care of the situation. Newton, who was the president of the Royal Society, appointed a committee consisting mostly of his friends to the investigation. Although said to be unbiased, the investigation was heavily favored toward Keill and Newton. The investigation began on March and quickly ended on April 1712 without Leibniz’ side of the story being heard. The report was released in January of the following year under the name Commercium Epistolicu and it concluded that Keill’s accusations had not injured Leibniz’ honor. The report, obviously `himself the prior inventor of calculus. Schrader calls the conclusion of the report “meaningless and utterly illogical” as it avoided the main issue of