History

In the nave of Westminster Abbey, just north of the grave of Sir Isaac Newton, is a memorial floorstone for Michael Faraday, eminent physicist and chemist. The memorial, together with one for James Clerk Maxwell, was unveiled on 30 September 1931. In 1976 the stone memorial was replaced by one made of metal, presented by the Institution of Civil Engineers. The Latin inscription can be translated:

"The memorial of Michael Faraday 1791-1867. Buried elsewhere".

Michael was a son of James Faraday (d.1810), a blacksmith, and his wife Margaret (Hastwell) and was born on 22 September 1791. Little is known of his early life but he was apprenticed to a bookbinder. His great interest in science was furthered by his contact with Sir Humphrey Davy and Faraday was employed as a laboratory assistant at the Royal Institution. He investigated chemistry, electricity, magnetism, the composition of steel and the making of optical glass and was elected a fellow of the Royal Society. Faraday is buried in Highgate cemetery in London.

 A photo of the memorial can be purchased from Westminster Abbey Library.

 Further reading:

Oxford Dictionary of National Biography 2004

"The electric life of Michael Faraday" by Alan Hirschfield, 2006.

The Faraday Museum is at the Royal Institution in London.