The third edition of Newton’s Principia begins with this half title followed by two inserted leaves. One is a portrait of Newton engraved by George Vertue from a painting by John Vanderbank, the other the “privilege” or license for publication, dated 25 March 1726. (Grace K. Babson Collection, Burndy Library)

Title page of the third edition of Newton’s Principia. In the original, the words PHILOSOPHIAE and PRINCIPIA are printed in red, as are ISAACO NEWTONO and LONDINI. (Grace K. Babson Collection, Burndy Library)

The Latin dedication to the third edition (opposite; Grace K. Babson Collection, Burndy Library) describes the Royal Society as “ad philosophiam promovendam,” in the sense of the promotion of natural philosophy or science. In this expression, Newton was producing a variant of the official name, “The Royal Society of London for Promoting Natural Knowledge.” The Latin original of this English version, however, is “Regalis Societas Londini pro scientia naturali promovenda,” as stated in the third charter. In the first edition of the Principia, the latter part of the dedication reads: “and flourishing under the patronage of the Most Powerful Monarch James II”; additionally, it is said that this treatise is “most humbly” (“humillime”) dedicated. In the second edition, the latter part of the dedication reads: “and flourishing under the patronage of the Most August Queen Anne.”