Edmond Halley was an English scientist known for calculating the orbit of the Halley's Comet and convincing Isaac Newton to publish his work on calculus and laws of motion. Some of his contributions include introducing the magnetic compass to the Royal Society, suggesting measuring the distance between Earth and Sun by timing Venus transits, and participating in early scientific dating of Stonehenge. He also funded the publication of Newton's seminal work Philosophiae Naturalis Principia Mathematica.