Michael Faraday

Michael Faraday was an English physicist and chemist whose pioneering work in electromagnetism and electrochemistry fundamentally shaped modern science and technology. Born on 22 September 1791 and largely self-educated, he rose from modest beginnings to become one of the most influential experimental scientists in history. His major achievements range from the discovery of electromagnetic induction to the identification of benzene, and his insights inspired the later development of classical field theory and electrical engineering.

Scientific Contributions and Discoveries

Faraday’s experimental research established several foundational concepts in physics. His investigations into the magnetic fields generated by electric currents led him to propose the idea of a surrounding electromagnetic field, a conceptual leap that profoundly influenced later theoretical work. He further demonstrated that magnetism could influence light, now known as the Faraday effect, revealing a deep connection between two previously distinct phenomena.
One of his most significant achievements was the discovery of electromagnetic induction in 1831, showing how varying magnetic fields could generate electric currents. This principle underlies the operation of modern generators and transformers. His construction of the first homopolar motor in 1821 demonstrated the possibility of continuous rotation driven by electricity, laying essential groundwork for electric motor technology.
Faraday also formulated the laws of electrolysis, providing quantitative relationships between electric current and chemical change. His work on diamagnetism broadened understanding of how materials respond to magnetic fields.
In chemistry, Faraday discovered benzene in 1825, investigated chlorine clathrate hydrates, and devised an early prototype of the Bunsen burner. He introduced influential terminology—such as anode, cathode, ion, and electrode—and helped formalise oxidation state concepts. His experimental creativity and clear communication made him an exemplary figure in both chemistry and physics.
The unit of capacitance in the International System of Units, the farad, commemorates his contributions to electrical science.

Influence on Theoretical Physics

Faraday’s intuitive use of “lines of force” to visualise electrical and magnetic interactions provided a new way of conceptualising physical fields. Although he possessed limited mathematical training, his insights proved remarkably fertile. James Clerk Maxwell later built on Faraday’s experimental findings, translating them into mathematical equations that form the foundation of classical electromagnetism. Maxwell remarked that Faraday was, in essence, a mathematician of a very high order because of the conceptual power of his ideas.

Public Service and Principles

Faraday devoted considerable effort to applying scientific knowledge for public benefit. He improved lighthouse illumination, investigated corrosion on naval vessels, and undertook environmental studies, including analyses of industrial pollution and air quality in London. With geologist Charles Lyell, he investigated the Haswell colliery explosion, demonstrating the role of coal dust in exacerbating mine disasters and the importance of proper ventilation.
During the Great Stink of 1858, he wrote to The Times about the dire condition of the River Thames, highlighting issues of public sanitation. Guided by strong ethical convictions, he refused to participate in research on chemical weapons during the Crimean War.
Faraday regularly delivered public lectures at the Royal Institution, where he became renowned for his clarity and enthusiasm. He preferred not to publish lecture transcripts, believing that the value of science came through personal engagement and direct experimentation. His dedication to communication helped shape the format of the Institution’s famous Christmas Lectures.

Early Life and Education

Faraday was born in Newington Butts, then a rural area south of London, into a financially modest household. His father, James Faraday, was a member of the Glasite religious sect and worked as a blacksmith. Michael received limited formal schooling and began work at the age of fourteen as an apprentice to George Riebau, a bookseller and bookbinder. While apprenticed, he avidly read scientific works, including Conversations on Chemistry by Jane Marcet, and attended the City Philosophical Society, where he discussed scientific ideas with other enthusiasts.
These experiences ignited his interest in experimental science. In 1812 he attended lectures by Humphry Davy at the Royal Institution, using tickets gifted to him by patrons. Faraday compiled careful notes of these lectures and sent them to Davy, whose favourable response eventually led to Faraday’s appointment as a laboratory assistant in 1813.

Personal Life and Beliefs

Faraday married Sarah Barnard in 1821. The couple, who had no children, were lifelong members of the Sandemanian church, a Christian sect that strongly influenced Faraday’s personal values. His deep religious convictions emphasised humility, simplicity, and integrity. He served his congregation as deacon and elder, and biographers have noted that his scientific worldview was underpinned by a belief in the unity and order of nature.

Later Career and Recognition

Faraday received extensive recognition during his lifetime. He was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1824 but twice declined the presidency, preferring to remain independent of administrative responsibilities. He became the first Fullerian Professor of Chemistry at the Royal Institution in 1833, a lifetime appointment. Universities and academies across Europe and America granted him honorary memberships and awards, including an honorary doctorate from Oxford in 1832.
Despite his acclaim, Faraday declined offers of state honours, believing that worldly titles conflicted with his religious principles. He chose instead to remain “plain Mr Faraday”.
Faraday lived his later years in accommodation provided by the Crown near Hampton Court. After a period of ill health beginning in 1839, he gradually reduced his scientific work but continued to lecture and advise. He died on 25 August 1867 and was buried in Highgate Cemetery.

Legacy

Michael Faraday’s discoveries transformed both science and industry. His experimental findings paved the way for modern electrical engineering, and his conceptual innovations inspired the development of field theory. Celebrated by figures such as Albert Einstein and Ernest Rutherford, Faraday is widely regarded as one of the greatest scientific discoverers of all time. His influence endures not only in the technologies that shape modern life but also in the spirit of curiosity and integrity that defined his work.