... But Thomas Young "beats them all".

In physics, he had the temerity to contradict Newton and propose a wave theory of light. In physiology, he made significant advances in understanding the mechanisms of the eye, explaining how it focuses, defining astigmatism, and proposing the three-colour theory of how the retina detects the sensation of colour. The latter was finally confirmed in 1959 and was described by a modern scientist as "surely the most prescient work in all of psychophysics".

In the field of engineering, "Young's modulus" is a measure of elasticity that explains how different materials contract or expand. Egyptologists hail Young as one of the founders of their science. He provided key insights into deciphering the ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs on the Rosetta stone. In medicine (the one subject in which he received formal training) he also distinguished himself. In music, "Young's temperament" is a technique for tuning keyboard instruments. From languages (he coined the term Indo-European after a comparative analysis of 400 languages) to carpentry and life insurance, Young's incisive intellect has left its mark on countless disciplines...

, Andrew Robinson, Oneworld Publications, 2006, pp. 304.

Reluctant polymath, PD Smith, The Guardian, UK, January 20, 2007.

Previously from The Times: Review: The Last Man Who Knew Everything, December 11, 2006.