The man who would later be considered one of the greatest scientific minds of the nineteenth century started his professional life as an apprentice bookbinder.
He was born in 1791 into a poor family in Britain. His Father, a blacksmith was often unwell and unable to work. Faraday's family was so poor he once recalled being given a single piece of bread to last for a week.
The family was a very fragile line away from abject poverty.
Because of this, Faraday received only a basic education. Although he managed to learn to write and read, his prospects looked limited. If you could travel backward in time and tell a neighbor of Faraday that he would one day be a renowned scientist, they might have thought you were insane.
Faraday didn't have the family connections or education for that to seem even remotely possible.
Due to the family's struggles, he left school and started work early. By 14, he delivered newspapers and books for the local bookbinder George Riebau. He was a hard and diligent worker so before long was offered a full apprenticeship.
As destiny would have it, within this simple manual work lay the key to his fate, and Faraday, with a curious mind and the ambition to better himself, didn't miss it. Instead of accepting his lot in life, shrugging, and getting lost in life's distractions, he reached for something that, as a bookbinder's apprentice, he was surrounded by…books.
His choice to do that would set him on the path that would change his life forever.
Faraday completes his education solo…
Faraday didn't allow his situation to stunt his hope or stagnate his mind. He transformed his immediate surroundings into his library and classroom. Faraday read as often and as deeply as he could, expanding his mind and absorbing knowledge. He would finish his work to high quality, but during any free time, he would read and read and read.
Then after a short break for lunch, he would read some more.
At first, he would read anything and loved fiction. Later he was drawn to books on science, especially on electricity and chemistry. The exposure to this material electrified his mind and inspired his curiosity and passion for learning.
He was particularly influenced by a specific work by Reverend Isaac Watts called Improvement of the Mind, a well-resourced and practical self-help book.
Faraday internalized the lessons within the old book, and they would develop as the foundations of his learning method. This book gave much-needed focus to Faraday's developing yet somewhat disordered mind. He developed a clear plan for his self-improvement and development.
The book also emphasized to him the importance of gaining experience by direct observation. He couldn't just read about science; he needed to do science and observe science being done to master it.
Faraday recognized this was the next step he needed to take to get where he needed to be.
He started to practice his knowledge, and that's how Mr. Riebau's shop took an additional role as Faraday's makeshift laboratory. Faraday was now practicing real science, albeit using jars and static electricity. He also started to attend lectures on the fringe of the science community and involve himself in the limited societies of the time that he had access to.
Despite his progress, Faraday realized he was still missing some critical things in his path to becoming a scientist. He still lacked a real laboratory and an expert to teach him real science.
How could he do that when due to his background, he had no access to the scientific society? He couldn't rely solely on books to be his teachers and a thrown-together laboratory forever.
The apprentice finds his master.
Mr. Riebau deserves a special mention here. Since giving Mr. Faraday the apprenticeship, he had been a constant source of encouragement and support. He allowed Faraday to store his tools in his workshop, permitted a small lab to be built at the back of his shop, and lent Faraday books.
Faraday, filled with gratitude, gave him a collection of notes he had taken at one of the lectures as a gift.
Mr.Riebau later showed these notes to a regular customer at the store named Mr. Price. Mr. Price, unlike Mr. Faraday, was exceptionally well connected in London society with links in the scientific community. Impressed by the notes, he pulled some strings to allow Faraday to attend a series of lectures by Sir Humphry Davy, a pioneer in the forefront of chemistry and Faraday's hero!
Faraday was absolutely enthralled by the lecture. Burning with passion and enthusiasm, he scribbled heaps of notes. Afterward, he sent a letter to Davy requesting a shot at being his lab assistant. Faraday had seen the light; he wouldn't miss this opportunity.
His first letter wasn't answered. His letter slipped into the void that any medium writer would be familiar with. Or so he thought…
Before long, fortunately, or unfortunately, depending on your perspective, Davy was temporarily blinded during an experiment, and Mr. Price recommended Faraday to take over as a temporary lab assistant. After accepting, Faraday showed his hard work, knowledge, and attention to detail, determined to make a great impression on his idol.
When his temporary position ended, he sent Davy a letter asking for a full-time position as his assistant. He would take any position no matter how small, so long as it involved science.
Alongside the letter, he attached the notes he had written so enthusiastically. They numbered over 300 pages! and discussed the points in Davy's lecture in precise detail. He wanted to show he had both the passion and the understanding needed to do the work.
Davy was impressed both by the notes and the hardworking Faraday. He returned a letter saying he would do whatever he could to help Faraday. Unfortunately, there was no more room at the inn. Davy couldn't take any more assistants, even if he wanted to.
For a time, it seemed likely that Faraday would, after all, wind up as a journeyman bookbinder completing repetitive tasks day after day. Faraday had come within touching distance of his dreams, but it looked like he wasn't going to make it.
One evening a black carriage arrived outside Faraday's house and delivered a message.
Faraday was requested to meet with Davy urgently. Upon arrival, he would find out Davy's previous assistant had been fired for brawling, and a position had opened. Davy wanted to give Faraday a job as his permanent research assistant.
Destiny had arrived.
This would be the beginning of an incredible scientific career. At first, learning hands-on under the wing of his long-term mentor and then as a professor in his own right.
Faraday would change science forever.
He would go on to make numerous achievements in the fields of chemistry, electromagnetism, and electricity. His discoveries made considerable contributions to the modern life we live today.
In Chemistry, he discovered Benzine, notable for being a beneficial property in both understanding chemical bonding and for making new materials. He also added proof to John Dalton's claim that all cases could be liquified by becoming the first to liquefy Chlorine and Ammonia.
He established the foundation of the concept of the electromagnetic field following a discovery by Hans Christian Orsted, who had proved that a magnetic field was created by an electric current going through a wire. These efforts would lead Faraday to make the first electric motor.
Later he would utilize the discoveries in electromagnetism to create the first electrical generator known as the Faraday disk. This allowed mechanical energy to be converted to electrical energy paving the way for the use of electricity to be viable in emerging technologies and machinery.
It's little wonder that historians of science consider him the best experimentalist in the history of science. He approached his work with Curiosity, passion, and dedication.
He showed without any doubt that this was precisely the type of work he was born to do, regardless of his humble beginnings.
It had all begun with a curious mind and the choice to improve himself.
Final thoughts.
For me, Faraday's life isn't just the story of a remarkable scientist; it's a story about how discovering your life's calling can awaken a passion that tears down obstacles sending you on an unstoppable path towards your destiny.
Extreme pressures were pushing Faraday away from this path. Yet, his simple choices, regardless of difficulties, led him on a journey to manifest his wildest ambition for the benefit of all mankind.
He took one step at a time.
Faraday used his position as a binder to absorb books. Books showed him the path towards his passion and how to master it. Practicing his passion brought him into contact with Price, who led him to Davy. Davy gave him the opportunity he needed to launch into his career…
Doesn't it make you wonder what things in your life could be the few degrees of separation between you and your own destiny?
What is your life's calling?
Don't miss it.
References used for further study.
The Electric Life of Michael Faraday by Alan W. Hirshfeld
Michael Faraday | Biography, Inventions, & Facts | Britannica
Michael Faraday's 10 Major Contributions To Science | Learnodo Newtonic (learnodo-newtonic.com)