Michael Faraday, often hailed as the “Father of Electricity,” was one of the most influential figures in the development of modern science and technology. Born on September 22, 1791, in Surrey, England, Faraday came from a humble background. His family was poor and belonged to a Christian sect known as the Sandemanians, a group that deeply influenced Faraday’s spiritual and ethical outlook throughout his life.
At the age of 14, Faraday was apprenticed to a bookbinder in London. Surrounded by books, he spent much of his time reading, which sparked a deep fascination with science. According to various sources, Faraday even began conducting simple electrical experiments during this time.
The Breakthrough Opportunity
Faraday’s life took a remarkable turn when one of the bookshop’s customers gifted him a ticket to a public lecture by the famous scientist Sir Humphry Davy at the Royal Institution. Enthralled by what he saw, Faraday compiled detailed notes from the lecture, bound them into a book, and sent them to Davy along with a request for a job.
Despite Faraday’s lack of formal education, Davy was impressed by his enthusiasm and offered him a position as a laboratory assistant. Faraday eagerly accepted and began honing his skills in chemistry.
Key Scientific Contributions
In 1823, Faraday discovered that chlorine could be liquefied. Two years later, he identified benzene, a fundamental compound in organic chemistry. However, his most groundbreaking work began in 1831 when he shifted his focus to electricity and magnetism.
Faraday’s first major discovery in this field was electromagnetic induction, which led to the development of the transformer. Using an iron ring with two coils of wire wrapped around it, he connected one coil to a battery and the other to a galvanometer. He noticed that when the circuit was opened and closed, the galvanometer needle moved—demonstrating what we now call mutual induction.
Later that same year, Faraday made another monumental discovery: magnetoelectric induction—the generation of electric current using a magnetic field. These experiments formed the basis for the modern electric generator.
Legacy in Electricity and Chemistry
Faraday’s discoveries didn’t stop there. In 1832, he proved that the electricity produced from a magnet, a battery, or through friction was fundamentally the same. He also formulated the first and second laws of electrolysis, establishing the field of electrochemistry.
In 1865, Faraday played a key role in helping physicist James Clerk Maxwell develop a mathematical theory for electromagnetic wave propagation, a foundation for the invention of radio.
Science Communication and Public Education
Faraday believed that science should be accessible to all. He became one of the most celebrated public lecturers of his time. Through his Friday Evening Discourses at the Royal Institution and the Christmas Lectures for Children—which he initiated in 1825—he introduced generations of young people to the wonders of science. These lectures are still held today.
Final Years and Lasting Legacy
After over five decades of groundbreaking work, Faraday retired from the Royal Institution in 1865. He passed away two years later, at the age of 75, at his home in Hampton Court.
Though he died before the establishment of the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), Faraday’s legacy is deeply honored by the organization. His statue stands outside their London headquarters, and the IET archives preserve many of his personal papers. The “Faraday Collection” is named in his honor, inspiring new generations to pursue science and engineering.
Michael Faraday’s life is a powerful testament to how perseverance, curiosity, and a love of learning can transform even the most modest beginnings into a legacy that changes the world.
