Michael Faraday

(1791–1867) British chemist and physicist, who received little formal education. He started to experiment on electricity and in 1812 attended lectures by Sir Humphry Davy at the Royal Institution; a year later he became Davy's assistant. He remained at the Institution until 1861. Faraday's chemical discoveries include the liquefaction of chlorine (1823) and benzene (1825) as well as the laws of electrolysis (see Faraday's laws). He is also remembered for his work in physics: in 1821 he demonstrated electromagnetic rotation (the principle of the electric motor) and in 1832 discovered electromagnetic induction (the principle of the dynamo).