He seemed to believe in an all-powerful God, who shaped events and, by 1865, was expressing those beliefs in major speeches.[citation needed] Gottfried Leibniz (1646–1716), German mathematician and philosopher. He is best known for developing infinitesimal calculus independently of Isaac Newton, and his mathematical notation has been widely used ever since it was published. He has also been labeled a Christian as well.[49][50] Gotthold Ephraim Lessing (1729–1781), German writer, philosopher, dramatist, publicist, and art critic[51] John Locke (1632–1704), influential English philosopher in the field of empiricism[52] Mikhail Lomonosov (1711–1765), Russian polymath, scientist and writer, who made important contributions to literature, education, and science.