Nathaniel Hamot

BSCE 2

EA
Michael Faraday

Largely self-educated, Faraday (1791-1867) became one of the

greatest scientists of his day thanks to the patronage of the eminent English
chemist Humphry Davy, who hired him as an assistant in 1813. Faraday went
on to establish the idea of the electromagnetic field and discovered
electromagnetic induction and the laws of electrolysis. His electromagnetic
devices formed the foundation of electric motor technology. He twice
rejected offers of a knighthood and when asked to advise on chemical
weapons for the Crimean war effort, refused on ethical grounds. Einstein kept
a picture of Faraday on his study wall
Faraday was born in a very poor family on 22nd September 1791 in
Newington Butts which is now forms a part of the London Borough of
Southwark. He had three other siblings and hence was deprived of basic
necessity on account of his family's poor status.
So he had to take efforts to educate himself. He worked as an
apprentice to a bookseller for seven years and during this period he read
many books that helped him to develop a thirst for science. At the age of
twenty, Faraday started attending lectures given by notable people like
Humphry Davy and John Tatum.
He worked as Davy's secretary and later on was appointed as Chemical
Assistant at the Royal Institution in 1813. Faraday's trips with Davy helped
him learn about many European scientists and develop sound scientific
ideas.
Faraday began his research in chemistry under Humphry Davy. During this
time Faraday carried out many experiments and made new discoveries in the
field of chemical science. His works include identifying new chlorides of
carbon, liquefying gases and the invention of the first Bunsen burner