"He was of an active, restless, indefatigable Genius even almost
to the last, and always slept little to his death, seldom going
to sleep till two three, or four a Clock in the Morning, and
seldomer to Bed, often continuing his Studies all Night, and
taking a nap in the day. His temper was Melancholy...." These
words were intended to describe Robert Hooke, but have been said
to equally describe Isaac Newton. Both men played vital roles in
the development of science in the seventeenth century, though at
first glance Newton appears to outshine and outclass Robert
Hooke. When Hooke is mentioned to this day, we usually speak of
Newton as well, but not the other way around. They influenced
one another far more than either would ever admit and, though
each deserves his own separate identity, Hooke has rarely been
granted his. This is largely because, though Newton and Hooke
had much in common, they were bitter enemies, and Newton was
able to exert far more influence over the Royal Society and,
thereby, over the ent