9. The argument that Newton had Asperger’s syndrome
Three of the clinical features of Asperger’s syndrome have been studied as features of Newton’s personality, and other supportive evidence has led some to conclude that Newton suffered from the syndrome. These are social impairment which inhibits developing friendships and which displays a lack of empathy for others; lack of any desire to communicate with others; and complete self-absorption with routine and dominant interests. The observations of others of Newton’s day are often used to support the opinion, including his indifference to his appearance in his days at school, as reported by fellow students at Trinity College.
That the symptoms were present during different times throughout Newton’s career is clear from contemporary writings about him. During his school days at Trinity, the sloppiness of his appearance was noted by several students, as was his all-absorbing focus on his studies and later work. Often he would, by his own admittance, be so absorbed that he would forget to eat. But all three of the symptoms, as well as indifference as to his appearance, are readily explained by other possibilities as well, and diagnosing a condition across three centuries is not an easy exercise. Newton maintained many relationships in writing over his lifetime, and communicated his thoughts with clarity in them, rather than doing so in small talk or lectures.