How did Isaac Newton become connected with the Royal Society?

Isaac Newton’s connection to the Royal Society began in 1671, when the organization learned of the reflecting telescope he had constructed. After the society requested to see the device and gave it an enthusiastic reception, Newton was elected as a member.1

Following this positive experience, Newton volunteered a paper on light and colors to the society in early 1672. While the paper generally received a favorable response, it also prompted some questions and dissent among the members. Prior to this interaction, Newton’s name was likely unknown to the society, despite his work as the Lucasian professor of mathematics at Cambridge.1