Michael Faraday was born on September 22, 1791, in Newington Butts, which is now part of South London.¹⁾

Faraday came from a poor family; his father was a blacksmith.²⁾

Faraday received only a basic education and learned to read and write at a local church Sunday school.³⁾

At the age of 14, Faraday was apprenticed to a local bookbinder and bookseller, George Riebau.⁴⁾

During his apprenticeship, Faraday developed a keen interest in science by reading books that came into the shop.⁵⁾

One of the books that greatly influenced him was “The Improvement of the Mind” by Isaac Watts.⁶⁾

Faraday attended lectures by the renowned chemist Humphry Davy at the Royal Institution, which sparked his interest in chemistry and physics.⁷⁾

Faraday sent Davy a 300-page book of notes that he had taken during his lectures, which led to Davy hiring him as his assistant.⁸⁾

Faraday began working at the Royal Institution in 1813, initially as a chemical assistant.⁹⁾

In 1813-1815, Faraday accompanied Davy on a European tour, meeting many of the leading scientists of the day.¹⁰⁾

Faraday discovered electromagnetic induction in 1831, demonstrating that a changing magnetic field can produce an electric current.¹¹⁾

Faraday invented the Faraday Cage, an enclosure used to block electric fields, which is still widely used today.¹²⁾

This discovery led to what is now known as Faraday's Law of Induction, fundamental to the principles of electromagnetism.¹³⁾

Faraday formulated the laws of electrolysis, which describe the behavior of ions during electrochemical reactions.¹⁴⁾

He coined several scientific terms, including “anode,” “cathode,” “electrode,” and “ion.”¹⁵⁾

Faraday discovered diamagnetism, a form of magnetism that opposes an applied magnetic field.¹⁶⁾

He discovered benzene, an important organic chemical compound, in 1825.¹⁷⁾

Faraday was known for his ability to explain complex scientific concepts to the general public and gave numerous popular lectures, including the famous Christmas Lectures for young people.¹⁸⁾

Despite his significant contributions to physics, Faraday had little formal mathematical training and preferred to think visually.¹⁹⁾

Faraday was a devout member of the Sandemanian Church, a Christian sect, and his faith deeply influenced his life and work.²⁰⁾

Faraday was a master of simple, elegant experiments that clearly demonstrated scientific principles.²¹⁾

He discovered the Faraday Effect, which is the rotation of the plane of polarization of light in a magnetic field.²²⁾

Faraday built one of the first electric motors, demonstrating the conversion of electrical energy into mechanical energy.²³⁾

He served as a scientific advisor to the British government on numerous occasions, including on the safety of lighthouses and the protection of ships from lightning.²⁴⁾

Faraday's work laid the groundwork for the development of electrical engineering and technology.²⁵⁾

Faraday was largely self-taught, learning through reading, experimentation, and mentorship.²⁶⁾

Despite his fame, Faraday lived modestly and turned down offers of knighthood and a burial in Westminster Abbey.²⁷⁾

The Faraday constant, which represents the charge of one mole of electrons, is named in his honor.²⁸⁾

Faraday suffered from a nervous breakdown in the mid-1830s and struggled with poor health throughout his life.²⁹⁾

Faraday was known for his scientific integrity and rigorous experimental methods.³⁰⁾

Despite his numerous achievements, Faraday remained humble and dedicated to the pursuit of knowledge.³¹⁾

He married Sarah Barnard in 1821, and they had a long and happy marriage, though they had no children.³²⁾

Faraday introduced the concept of magnetic field lines to visualize and describe the behavior of magnetic fields.³³⁾

Faraday was known for his charming and approachable personality, making him a beloved figure in the scientific community.³⁴⁾

He conducted many of his experiments in a specially designed dark room to better observe chemical reactions.³⁵⁾

Faraday received numerous awards during his lifetime, including the Royal Medal, the Copley Medal, and the Rumford Medal.³⁶⁾

He published numerous scientific papers, many of which are still studied today for their insights and clarity.³⁷⁾

Faraday mentored many young scientists and was always willing to share his knowledge and experience.³⁸⁾

The Royal Institution's Christmas Lectures, which Faraday initiated, continue to this day, inspiring generations of young scientists.³⁹⁾

Faraday's public demonstrations of science, including the liquefaction of gases and the creation of new compounds, captivated audiences.⁴⁰⁾

He made significant contributions to photochemistry, the study of chemical reactions caused by light.⁴¹⁾

Faraday's work is considered foundational in the field of electrical engineering, influencing the design of electric generators and transformers.⁴²⁾

Several institutions and places are named after Faraday, including the Faraday Institute for Science and Religion and the Faraday Building in London.⁴³⁾

James Clerk Maxwell, another giant in the field of electromagnetism, was greatly influenced by Faraday's work, particularly his field theory.⁴⁴⁾

Michael Faraday died on August 25, 1867, in Hampton Court, Surrey, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire and influence the world of science and beyond.⁴⁵⁾