Michael Faraday was an English scientist who discovered how electricity and magnetism are connected, laying the groundwork for electric motors and generators used everywhere today. He had little formal schooling and taught himself science by reading books while working as a bookbinder's apprentice. In 1825 he started the Royal Institution Christmas Lectures, a series introducing young people to science, which he delivered himself 19 times and which still continues in Britain today, nearly 200 years later. He became one of the most influential scientists in history despite starting with very few advantages.