George Riebau
Encyclopedia
George Riebau was a bookseller and bookbinder in Blandford Street, London
to whom Michael Faraday
was apprenticed in 1805 at the age of fourteen. During his seven years' apprenticeship, Faraday made good use of the priceless access to books which his employment gave him and which his generous employer allowed: "Whilst an apprentice, I loved to read the scientific books which were under my hands." Riebau later wrote: "If I had any curious book from my customers to bind, with plates, he would copy such as he thought singular or clever."
It was Riebau who arranged, through one of his customers, for Faraday to be given tickets to hear Humphry Davy
lecture on Chemistry at the Royal Institution
; Faraday took notes which he later showed to Davy and which led to his joining the RI, the start of his distinguished scientific career.
Many years later Faraday dedicated a book to Riebau, writing: "...you kindly interested yourself in the progress I made in the knowledge of facts relating to the different theories in existence, readily permitting me to examine those books in your possession that were in any way related to the subjects occupying my attention."
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
to whom Michael Faraday
Michael Faraday
Michael Faraday, FRS was an English chemist and physicist who contributed to the fields of electromagnetism and electrochemistry....
was apprenticed in 1805 at the age of fourteen. During his seven years' apprenticeship, Faraday made good use of the priceless access to books which his employment gave him and which his generous employer allowed: "Whilst an apprentice, I loved to read the scientific books which were under my hands." Riebau later wrote: "If I had any curious book from my customers to bind, with plates, he would copy such as he thought singular or clever."
It was Riebau who arranged, through one of his customers, for Faraday to be given tickets to hear Humphry Davy
Humphry Davy
Sir Humphry Davy, 1st Baronet FRS MRIA was a British chemist and inventor. He is probably best remembered today for his discoveries of several alkali and alkaline earth metals, as well as contributions to the discoveries of the elemental nature of chlorine and iodine...
lecture on Chemistry at the Royal Institution
Royal Institution
The Royal Institution of Great Britain is an organization devoted to scientific education and research, based in London.-Overview:...
; Faraday took notes which he later showed to Davy and which led to his joining the RI, the start of his distinguished scientific career.
Many years later Faraday dedicated a book to Riebau, writing: "...you kindly interested yourself in the progress I made in the knowledge of facts relating to the different theories in existence, readily permitting me to examine those books in your possession that were in any way related to the subjects occupying my attention."