French Newtonianism

This article examines the intellectual contexts in France that facilitated the reception between 1670 and 1790 of Newton's work in optics and celestial mechanics-it deals with his early optical work, and the content of the Principia, along with the various adaptations and interpretations of this work in France and Switzerland. This article is part of the theme issue 'Newton, Principia, Newton Geneva Edition (17th-19th) and modern Newtonian mechanics: heritage, past & present'.