Michael Faraday lecturing at the Royal Institution December 1855

Michael Faraday’s (1791–1867) reputation as a scientist rested as much on the success of his lectures at the Royal Institution as on his electromagnetic discoveries. Faraday's first course of 6 lectures in the Theatre of the Royal Institution began in April 1827, the subject being Chemical Philosophy. The lecture shown here, the first of a course of Juvenile Lectures on "Metals", was important, as it was attended by the Prince of Wales and Prince Alfred, Duke of Edinburgh. Prince Albert, the Prince Consort sits in the chair opposite Faraday, his sons are on either sides of him.

Alexander Blaikley (1816–1903), Michael Faraday lecturing at the Royal Institution December 1855, oil over lithograph on paper, 1855; source: © The Hunterian Museum and Art Gallery, University of Glasgow 2013.