Michael Faraday was born in Newington Butts, Surrey, England, into a poor family. His father was a blacksmith, and the family struggled financially. Faraday's limited formal education would be a stark contrast to his future intellectual achievements.

At the age of 14, Faraday was apprenticed to George Riebau, a local bookbinder and bookseller. This seemingly mundane job proved pivotal. It provided him with access to a vast array of books, which he devoured, educating himself in science and other subjects. He meticulously read the Encyclopaedia Britannica, particularly articles on electricity, and conducted simple experiments based on what he learned.