MICHAEL FARADAY (1791 - 1867)
English Chemist, Physicist

In 1831, Faraday discovered the principle of electromagnetism. The electric generator and electric motor are both based on this principle: that moving a magnet through a coil of copper wire causes an electric current to flow through the wire.

Faraday gave the first suggestion of the existence of electrons. He was the first to liquify many gases and the first to distill benzene, which along with other liquid gases is used as rocket fuel.

Faraday was an amazing scientist; his discoveries are numerous. Electromagnetism was only one of them. You will see his name any time you do research on anything that has to do with magnetism. Despite the technical nature of his work, he was also gifted at making science available to the general people. A popular lecturer, Faraday gave annual Christmas talks to children. His most famous was The Chemical History of a Candle.