Isaac Newton is universally known for his contributions to science—chiefly the law of gravity and the three laws of motion—but he was also a Christian who worked and wrote as much on religious topics as scientific issues. His scientific and religious interests came together in his study of chronology. Newton attempted to chart a history of humanity by meshing biblical history with extra-biblical histories and chronologies from the ancient Greeks, Egyptians, and others. An abridgement of Newton’s chronological work was printed without his permission in 1725, provoking widespread interest in his unorthodox dates, which departed from the traditional consensus at many points. He died before releasing his full account, but his work was posthumously edited and published by friends. This 1770 edition included a letter from Zachary Pearce, Bishop of Rochester, explaining the details and controversy surrounding the publication of the text.