Michael Faraday

Michael Faraday (22 September 1791 – 25 August 1867) was a British scientist who contributed significantly to the study of electromagnetism and electrochemistry. His main discoveries include the principles underlying electromagnetic induction, diamagnetism, and electrolysis.

Early Life

Faraday was born in Newington Butts, which is now part of the London Borough of Southwark, but was then a suburban part of Surrey. His family was not well off. His father, James, was a member of the Glassite sect of Christianity. James Faraday moved his wife and two children to London during the winter of 1790 from Outhgill in Westmorland, where he had been an apprentice to the village blacksmith.

Career

Faraday served as an apprentice to George Riebau, a local bookbinder and bookseller, for seven years. During this period, he developed an interest in science, particularly in electricity. Faraday attended lectures by the eminent scientist Humphry Davy and subsequently was employed by him.

Faraday's work on electromagnetism made him an architect of modern electromagnetic theory. His research was pivotal in the development of electricity generation and distribution. He established that magnetism could affect rays of light and that there was an underlying relationship between the two phenomena.

Legacy

Faraday's inventions of electromagnetic rotary devices formed the foundation of electric motor technology, and it was largely due to his efforts that electricity became practical for use in technology. The Faraday cage was invented by Faraday to demonstrate that electric charge only resided on the exterior of a charged conductor, and interior of such a conductor carried no electric field.

See Also

• Electromagnetism
• Electrochemistry
• Humphry Davy
• Faraday cage