Faraday's education continued at Davy's workbench, and on an extended tour of Europe, during which Faraday unwillingly stood in for Davy's valet.

ECONOMIST: Science

But, as James Hamilton contends in an illuminating new biography, Michael Faraday's story is not just the tale of a young man's rise through the scientific ranks.

ECONOMIST: Science

These account for 10% of the total, including Faraday's electric motor (1821), waterproof material (1823), Aspdin's cement (1824), George Stephenson's passenger railway (1825) and the lawnmower by Edwin Beard Budding (1827).

BBC: Sir James Dyson

Mr Hamilton, who takes a special interest in tracing the connections between the artistic and scientific communities of the Victorian era, considers Faraday's scientific achievements alongside his artistic leanings and strong religious beliefs.

ECONOMIST: Science

But Faraday quickly emerged from under his mentor's shadow as a scientist in his own right, corresponding with other researchers as an equal, and conducting pioneering experiments with electricity.

ECONOMIST: Science

Faraday eventually succeeded Davy as the British government's trusted adviser on scientific matters, the Royal Institution's star lecturer, and London's foremost populariser of science.

ECONOMIST: Science