Michael Faraday (1791-1867) was one of the most important men of science
in nineteenth century Britain. His discoveries of electro-magnetic
rotations (1821) and electro-magnetic induction (1831) laid the
foundations of the modern electrical industry. His discovery of the
magneto-optical effect and diamagnetism (1845) led him to formulate the
field theory of electro-magnetism, which forms one of the cornerstones
of modern physics. These and a whole host of other fundamental
discoveries in physics and chemistry, together with his lecturing at the
Royal Institution, his work for the state (including Trinity House), his
religious beliefs and his lack of mathematical ability, make Faraday one
of the most fascinating scientific figures ever. All these aspects of
his life and work and others, such as his health, are reflected in his
letters which, in this final volume, cover Faraday's life to his death
in August 1867. Also published here are letters that could not be dated
and letters that should have been included in volumes one to five but
which had not been located when those volumes were published. In total
just over 80% of the letters in this volume are previously unpublished.
The dominant topic of the 1860s (covered in nearly 40% of the letters)
is Faraday's involvement with the lighthouse service relating in
particular to his advice to Trinity House and the Board of Trade on
matters such as electric light and the controversial issue of fog
signals. Also detailed is the complex process by which his various posts
were transferred to John Tyndall. Similar issues existed with Faraday's
gradual withdrawal from his duties at the Royal Institution, including
the misguided attempt to make him President. And, of course, running
through many of the letters are comments on his declining health and
impending death. Major correspondents include the Astronomer Royal G.B.
Airy, the Secretary of Trinity House P.H. Berthon, the Birmingham
glassmaker J.T. Chance, the Assistant Secretary of the Board of Trade
T.H. Farrer, the German mathematician Julius Plücker, the Cambridge
trained mathematical natural philosophers James Clerk Maxwell and
William Thomson, Faraday's colleagues at the Royal Institution Henry
Bence Jones, John Tyndall and Benjamin Vincent, the Swiss chemist
Christian Schoenbein and the astronomer James South.
