“In solitude, he continued his mathematical and physical studies, but also embraced alchemy and esoteric biblical scholarship. He felt himself to be seeking ancient knowledge that had been lost or hidden in the dark centuries of the more recent past. Today’s scientists tend to be embarrassed by Newton’s religious and alchemical studies, but Newton was looking for deeper, unifying truths than the superficial speculations of the secular empiricists of London.” Chet Raymo —And God said: ‘Let there be Newton’ (Globe and Mail)