I believe the solution to this puzzle is:
>! **[Isaac Newton](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isaac_Newton)**

Key point in solving the nonogram:
>! Once I noticed that three of the corners had a similar  
>!  
>! 7  
>! 1, 1  
>! 1, 3, 1  
>! 1, 3, 1  
>! 1, 3, 1  
>! 1, 1  
>! 7  
>!  
>! pattern, I figured that the image was likely a [QR code](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/QR_code), which allowed me to fill in all 3 7x7 corners.  From there, I was able to follow a fairly standard nonogram algorithm to get the rest.

Solving the nonogram gives us this image:
>! [![nonogram][1]][1]  
>!  
>! Which looks a lot like a QR code.
>!  
>! If we scan the resulting QR code, it gives us "heWasBornXmas1642"
>!  
>! An individual famous for his studies in optics and born on December 25th, 1642 is **Isaac Newton**.

Explanation of puzzle text:
>! Isaac Newton famously wrote in a letter "If I have seen further it is by standing on the sholders [sic] of Giants.", which is referenced in the puzzle by having Santa literally stand on the shoulder of a giant.


  [1]: https://i.sstatic.net/QpmJy.png