Isaac Newton, the Poster Child for the South Sea Bubble

Isaac newton is often used as an illustration for how financially devastating the south sea bubble was. He made about a hundred % return on his initial investment, and then he had gotten out of it. Near the peak of the bubble, according to his family lore, he lost about 20 thousand pounds when the price collapsed. But more modern analysis of his financial records suggests that it was closer to ten thousand pounds. Even if he did lose more than that, which would be a lot more money, he seems to have recovered. In early 17 20, multiple publications warned that this escalating share price was just not sustainable.