Michael Faraday left school at 13 and became a bookbinder's apprentice, reading the science books he bound. He went to a lecture by Humphry Davy, wrote up his notes beautifully, and talked his way into a job as Davy's assistant. In 1831 he discovered electromagnetic induction, the principle behind every generator and transformer powering our world today. With little maths, he thought in pictures, imagining invisible lines of force. He also started the Royal Institution Christmas Lectures for young people, still running today.
Michael Faraday
Electricity Pioneer
EXTRA-ORDINARY TRAIT
CURIOSITY
JFDI PILLAR
I — INSTINCT
COUNTRY & REGION
England (UK & Ireland)
LIFESPAN
1791 – 1867
GENDER
Man
EDITION
No.008
✦ DEFINING MOMENT
At the Royal Institution, plunging a magnet into a coil as the needle jumps, 1831.
✦ ARCHIVAL DOSSIER
The Story
✦ VERIFIED QUOTE
“Nothing is too wonderful to be true, if it be consistent with the laws of nature." Laboratory diary, 1849, verified)”
✦ DID YOU KNOW?
He was offered the presidency of the Royal Society twice, and turned it down both times.
✦ YOUR TURN
What would you learn if you followed your curiosity like Faraday followed those books?
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