Michael Faraday

by G. N. Cantor

This is a short biographical study of Michael Faraday, one of the most important scientists of the nineteenth century. Without his invention of the electric motor, transformer, and dynamo, life as we live it would not be possible. Yet Faraday's ideas, particularly his bold, encompassing vision of natural powers as fields of force - challenged the traditional Newtonian views and paved the way for the work of Einstein and Maxwell. This book describes, in nontechnical language, how this major scientist lived and worked and how his everyday scientific practice was informed by his abilities as an experimentalist, his religious beliefs, and the rapidly changing world of nineteenth century Europe. The authors show how Faraday himself contributed to that change by promoting science to the public, making important discoveries in almost every major area of chemistry and physics, so shaping the conceptions of science that we have all inherited. Students will find this overview of the life and wor