Sir Isaac Newton is credited with formulating the laws of motion and universal gravitation. His groundbreaking work, particularly outlined in his 1687 publication "Philosophiæ Naturalis Principia Mathematica," established three laws of motion that describe the relationship between a body and the forces acting upon it. Newton's law of universal gravitation explained how objects attract each other based on their masses and distance, revolutionizing the understanding of physics. His theories laid foundational principles for classical mechanics, influencing not only science but also fields like engineering and mathematics. Newton's contributions have earned him recognition as one of the most influential scientists in history.