Portrait of Michael Faraday (1791-1867) with his wife Sarah, photographed about 1855. Faraday is considered the greatest of all experimental physicists. In 1825 he discovered the compound called benzene but is better known for his studies on electrolysis and electro-magnetic phenomena. The latter formed the background for the unified electro-magnetic theory elaborated by the Scottish physicist James Maxwell. In 1832 Faraday formulated the Laws of Electrolysis which dictate the behaviour of a chemical solution in the presence of electric currents. He also devised the first electric motor and other electric apparatus such as transformers and dynamos.