Abstract
Undoubtedly the most epoch-making book in the history of science is Isaac Newton’s Philosophiae Naturalis Principia Mathematica , published in 1687, which established the principles of mathematical physics and modern astronomy in a way familiar to all students of natural philosophy. On the title page appear two names, that of Newton as the author and, with at least equal prominence, that of Pepys— ‘Imprimatur S. Pepys, Reg. Soc. Praeses . For Samuel Pepys was elected President of the Royal Society in 1684 and was in office in July, 1686, when the Imprimatur was officially subscribed to the manuscript. If he had no other claims to distinction his name would have been perpetuated by this prominent association with a worldfamous book. As Sir Joshua Reynolds said that he would go down to posterity on the hem of Mrs Siddons’ garment, so Pepys might have said that he would go down to posterity on the title page of Newton’s Principia .
Published Version
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