Sir Isaac Newton led an active life until his old age when age-related afflictions became a barrier. As he experienced inconsistencies due to weakness in the bladder, he was forced to limit his movements and follow dietary restrictions.
He became ill with gout in 1725 and suffered haemorrhoids the next year. In the months prior to his death, Newton was ill and bedridden. He lost consciousness on 19 March 1727 due to pain from his bladder stone and never regained consciousness. Newton passed away on 31 March 1727 at the age of 84. He was buried in London’s Westminster Abbey on April 4, to rest among the kings and queens, dukes and earls of England.
Isaac Newton’s pallbearers included two dukes, three earls and the Lord Chancellor. Voltaire described Newton’s funeral as the funeral of a king who had done well by his subjects.
In the last years of his life, Newton’s circle of friends included Prince George (later George II) and his wife Caroline, whom he visited regularly. He was successful, famous and wealthy by the time he died. Newton is said to have helped his extended family generously and was a charitable person. As he had never married, his estate went to the descendants of his stepfather, Barnabas Smith.
His papers were given to his half-niece Catherine Barton and her husband John Conduitt.
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