Sir Michael Faraday

A carte-de-visite portrait of the English chemist and physician Sir Michael Faraday (1791-1867).

Faraday began his career in 1813 as assistant to Sir Humphrey Davy at the Royal Institute. His scientific genius was soon evident, and he is considered the greatest physical scientist of his century. His outstanding achievement was the construction of a complete theory of electricity. He discovered electro-magnetic induction, and invented the dynamo and transformer. He succeeded Davy as Professor of Chemistry at the Royal Institute, delivering highly popular lectures, and publishing many treatises on scientific subjects.

Photographed by W. Walker and Sons of 64 Margaret Street, London.