Faraday’s entry into the Royal Society was facilitated by his mentor, Sir Humphry Davy, whose recognition of Faraday’s efforts and accomplishments helped elevate his status.
After Davy’s passing, Faraday continued the research endeavors, having already established himself as a prominent chemist.
To fully dedicate himself to scientific research, Faraday submitted a request to resign from his current role, aiming to concentrate on his electromagnetic experiments. The Royal Society accepted his request.
Upon hearing of Faraday’s resignation, numerous companies in England sought to recruit him—now a rising star in the chemistry field—as a technical consultant. Faraday became the target of many businesses eager to secure his expertise. With encouragement from his friends, he accepted offers from a few places, earning £1,000, a sum equivalent to ten years of his salary, which significantly improved his living conditions. If he continued down this path, he would soon become very wealthy. However, these commitments consumed a great deal of his time and energy, impacting his research. He felt conflicted and eventually discussed the matter with his wife. Faraday’s wife was a supportive and understanding woman who recognized his deep passion for science and was willing to support his decisions, regardless of the hardships. Faraday understood this support; he had previously turned down many lucrative opportunities to prioritize his research, even rejecting £150,000 to pursue a life dedicated to knowledge with little financial reward.
A poet once said: “If a bird carries a bag of gold, it cannot soar.” This sentiment mirrors Faraday’s situation; he was like a bird spreading its wings, capable of soaring high in the scientific realm only when unencumbered.
Faraday almost entirely rejected social engagements, dedicating every moment to his work, resulting in a continuous stream of research breakthroughs. His outstanding achievements garnered international attention. Despite his low salary and challenging living conditions, Faraday’s contributions were recognized when the Prime Minister of England decided to award him a special annual grant to honor scientists, stating: 
“Only Faraday deserves this attention from the Government.” Upon receiving this news, Faraday promptly wrote to the Prime Minister, stating that he could manage on his own and did not wish to request government assistance or accept the special grant. Nevertheless, the government ultimately awarded him £300 annually to recognize his extraordinary contributions to science in England.
Shortly thereafter, Faraday learned that the British Royal Family granted him the title of Baron, making him a member of the nobility. His mentor, Davy, had also been honored with a peerage, and many who contributed to society took pride in their titles. However, upon receiving this news, Faraday remained calm and told the royal representatives: “I am content with my simple life and do not wish to become a noble.” Faraday, the son of a blacksmith, was a scientist of the working class, originating from the laboring people and striving for their happiness.
On his tombstone, one can still read his famous quote today: “I love the forge of the blacksmith; I love everything related to it, for my father was a blacksmith.”
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Return to: “Michael Faraday and the Small Laboratory“
Stay tuned for: “Michael Faraday – The Great Normalcy“
