Isaac Newton's childhood was marked by early hardship and separation from his mother.
Born prematurely and considered unlikely to survive, Newton's early life was complicated by his father's death three months before his birth and his mother's subsequent remarriage.
Early Life and Separation
Newton's infancy was characterized by:
- Being tiny and weak at birth, raising concerns about his survival. (Reference)
- Experiencing the loss of his father before he was born.
- Separation from his mother when she remarried. His stepfather, the well-to-do minister Barnabas Smith, sent him to live with his grandmother. (Reference)
This separation from his mother lasted until Smith's death in 1653. (Reference) This likely had a profound impact on the young Newton, shaping his personality and possibly contributing to his independent nature. His childhood therefore involved instability and a lack of consistent parental care during his formative years.
