Talk:Woolsthorpe Manor
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Likely or possible errors in the discussion and photo caption of the "apple tree".
editIn the second paragraph is the statement, "This is also said to be the site where Newton, observing an apple fall from a tree, was inspired to formulate his law of universal gravitation." This statement leaves the reader with the impression the this is an event that actually happened and this is the supposed site of the event. I think it should be pointed that the story of the apple is not a corroborated story. It is possibly a legend. The statement should be reworded to leave the reader understanding the this is the supposed site of the supposed event.
Possible change -- This is also said to be the site of the apple tree legend, where Newton is said to have observed an apple fall from a tree and inspired to formulate his law of universal gravitation.
Additionally, a statement about this story/legend should be added pointing it out as true or not with a footnote to any corroboration or a discussion of this story.
Also, a picture is captioned "The tree from which the famous apple is said to have fallen." It is my belief that the original apple tree of the story/legend no longer stands. The caption should be corrected and a statement put into the main body. I cite -- The essay "LIFE OF SIR ISAAC NEWTON" by N. W. Chittenden starting in page 9 of the First American Edition, 1945, New York, published by Daniel Adee, 45 Liberty Street. https://archive.org/details/newtonspmathema00newtrich
"The manor-house, at Woolsthorpe, was visited by Dr. Stukeley, in October, 1721, who, in a letter to Dr. Mead, written in1727, gave the following description of it: ... The celebrated apple-tree, the fall of one of the apples of which is said to have turned the attention of Newton to the subject of gravity, was destroyed by the wind about twenty years ago; but it has been preserved in the form of a chair. ..." --Bob.A51 (talk) 05:14, 21 January 2018 (UTC)