John Winthrop (1714-1779), American astronomer and physicist. Winthrop established the first experimental physics laboratory in America in 1746. He also introduced calculus and Newton's Principa to Harvard University in 1751, while he was Professor of Mathematics & Natural Philosophy. Although surviving manuscripts indicate that he did not completely grasp Newton's Laws. Winthrop was also fascinated with astronomy and in 1761 journeyed to Newfoundland to witness the transits of Venus. He was elected to the Royal Society of London in 1766 for his observations.