About Michael Faraday

Michael Faraday was a famous British Chemist and Physicist who contributed greatly to the study of Electromagnetism and Electrochemistry.

Michael was born on September 22nd 1791 in London, England. His family were quite poor meaning that Michael only received a basic formal education. When he was 14 however, he was an apprentice to a bookbinder and managed to educate himself over the following 7 years by reading the books he worked on, (mainly scientific subjects). In 1812, Michael Faraday attended 4 lectures given by the Chemist Humphry Davy, (inventor of the Safety Davy Lamp for miners),at the Royal Institution in London. Following this, Faraday wrote to Humpry Davy, applying for the position of his assistant. Michael was turned down, however, he did, in 1813 gain an appointment to the position of Chemical Assistant at the Royal Institution.

In 1814, Davy invited Faraday on an 18 month trip around Europe which meant meeting with many influential scientists.

1821 saw Faraday publish his work on electromagnetic rotation, (the principal behind the electric motor).

In 1826, Faraday initiated the Royal Institutions Friday Evening Discourses and then Christmas Lectures.

1831 say Faraday discover electromagnetic induction. This is the principle behind the electric transformer and the electric generator – This discovery was absolutely vital as it allowed electricity to be transformed from a curiosity into a powerful new technology which he spent the following decade developing.

 Michael Faraday died at 76 at Hampton Court, England.