Michael Faraday
- Born:
- September 22, 1791, Newington Butts, Surrey, England
- Died:
- August 25, 1867, Hampton Court, Middlesex, England
- Nationality:
- British
- Profession(s):
- Physicist, Chemist
Early Life and Education
- Born into a poor family; his father was a blacksmith.
- Received a limited formal education due to financial constraints.
- At age 14, apprenticed to a bookseller and bookbinder, allowing him to read widely.
- Developed an interest in science through reading books on electricity and chemistry.
Career and Major Achievements
- 1813: Became a laboratory assistant at the Royal Institution under Humphry Davy.
- 1820s: Conducted groundbreaking research in electromagnetism and electrochemistry.
- 1821: Invented the first electric motor.
- 1831: Discovered electromagnetic induction, the principle behind electric generators and transformers.
- Formulated Faraday's laws of electrolysis.
- Introduced concepts of electric and magnetic fields.
- Appointed Fullerian Professor of Chemistry at the Royal Institution in 1833.
Notable Works
- Chemical Manipulation (1827)
- Experimental Researches in Electricity (1839-1855)
- Numerous scientific papers published in journals such as the Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society.
Legacy and Impact
Michael Faraday's work revolutionized our understanding of electromagnetism and electrochemistry, laying the foundation for modern electrical technology. His discoveries of electromagnetic induction and the principles of electrolysis are fundamental to the development of electric generators, motors, and various chemical processes. When looking for information, remember that any comprehensive look at the life of this important man is best represented by a detailed 'michael faraday biography timeline with paragraphs', or some variant thereof.