Homework Helper

MICHAEL FARADAY    Father of Electricity

Born: 22 September 1791
Died: 17 August 1867
Location: London, England

Michael Faraday was born near the Elephant & Castle in London, the son of a blacksmith. At the age of 13 he took a job as a newspaper and book delivery boy. When taken to hear a lecture by Sir Humphrey Davy in Albermarle Street, he neatly wrote up his notes and posted them to Sir Humphrey asking for a job in his lab. A while later his cheek paid off when Davy sacked an assistant for drunken brawling. Michael became a residential laboratory assistant at the Royal Institute.

He was soon making discoveries, such as benzene, through his thoughtful approach to science. In 1820 he married Sarah Bernard, who had initially told him she was rather frightened of “a mind with a man attached!”

One month after his marriage Faraday stood up in the chapel in St Paul’s Alley, London and testified to all that he had “asked the Lord to forgive him all his sin and had yielded over his life to him.” He joined the church, and later was to become one of its elders and preachers.

In 1831 came Faraday’s great discovery. In 10 days of experimentation and great thought he secured complete success in making the first real dynamo. He had produced the production of electricity without a battery, and so laid the foundation stone of the present electronic age.

Numerous honours followed, but instead of pursuing a lifestyle of wealth and celebrity, Faraday stuck at his work. On one occasion the Chancellor of the Exchequer was given a guided tour of the Institute laboratories, ending with the demonstration of a classical electrical experiment. “Faraday, my good fellow, what’s the use of it?” asked the Chancellor. “Sir,” Faraday replied, “There is every probability that you’ll soon be able to tax it.”

In 1846 Faraday conceived an understanding of light far ahead of his time, that was built on later by James Clerk Maxwell, and later still by Albert Einstein. Faraday became famous for his lectures at the Royal Institute, especially those he gave each Christmas for children. In the closing years of his life he was granted by Queen Victoria a “grace and favour” residence in Hampton Court. He died there in 1867.

IN HIS OWN WORDS:

When asked “What’s the use of it?” after demonstrating some new experiment, Faraday replied on numerous occasions, “What’s the use of a baby? Some day it will grow up!”

Home Search Youth Groups Games Features Questions? MyPlace

Kernow Youth is powered by Chocolate Now!
Create your own chocolate selection from a range of over 40 luxury Belgian Chocolates.
Free gift-wrap, and a fast chocolate delivery service to UK and Europe.