Michael Faraday
A bookbinder's apprentice who read what he bound; refused a knighthood twice.
Michael Faraday was born in 1791 in Newington Butts, London, England. Michael Faraday's background is described as English; family from the north, in a small dissenting church. Growing up, the family was working class — his blacksmith father's illness kept the family in hardship; as a boy he was at times rationed a single loaf of bread a week. A bookbinder's apprentice who read what he bound; refused a knighthood twice.
- Born
- 1791 · Newington Butts, London, England
- Roots
- English; family from the north, in a small dissenting church
- Family
- Working class
- His blacksmith father's illness kept the family in hardship; as a boy he was at times rationed a single loaf of bread a week.
- Education
- Rudimentary schooling; self-taught in the bindery
- Started with
- A bookbinder's bench
- Apprenticed at 14, he read the books he bound — an encyclopedia entry on electricity set the course.
- Affiliations & societies
- Sandemanian (Glasite) ChurchDocumented
- A small Christian sect in which he served as deacon and elder; its ethos shaped his lifelong refusal of honors.
- Information only — claims like these are often unverifiable and may be wrong.
The pathway
- 1812 · age 20Davy's lectures
A bindery customer gifts him tickets to Humphry Davy's Royal Institution lectures; he binds his 300 pages of notes and sends them to Davy with a job plea.
- 1813 · age 21Laboratory assistant
Davy, injured in an explosion, hires him; on the European tour Davy's wife treats him as a servant.
- 1821 · age 29Electromagnetic rotation
The first electric motor.
- 1825 · age 33The Christmas Lectures
Founds the children's science series that continues today.
- 1831 · age 39Electromagnetic induction
The principle behind every generator and transformer.
- 1853 · age 62Refusals
Declines a knighthood and, twice, the presidency of the Royal Society; also declines to develop poison gas for the Crimean War.
- 1867 · age 75Dies at Hampton Court
In a house granted by the Crown — accepted only after assurance it implied no honor.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Michael Faraday from?
Michael Faraday was born in 1791 in Newington Butts, London, England. Their background is described as English; family from the north, in a small dissenting church.
When was Michael Faraday born?
Michael Faraday was born in 1791, in Newington Butts, London, England.
What is Michael Faraday's background or ethnicity?
Michael Faraday's roots are described as English; family from the north, in a small dissenting church. These are broad categories drawn from public sources, not statements about how the person identifies.
Where did Michael Faraday go to school?
Michael Faraday's education: Rudimentary schooling; self-taught in the bindery.
What was Michael Faraday's family background growing up?
At birth the family was working class. His blacksmith father's illness kept the family in hardship; as a boy he was at times rationed a single loaf of bread a week.
How did Michael Faraday get started?
Michael Faraday started with a bookbinder's bench. Apprenticed at 14, he read the books he bound — an encyclopedia entry on electricity set the course.
Sources
Compiled from these references and contemporaneous press reporting. Figures are approximate; verify before relying on them.