What title did Faraday hold as a professor at the Royal Institution?

Faraday held the title Fullerian Professor of Chemistry at the Royal Institution. He became the first person appointed to this chair in 1833, and the position was held for life. The title honored John “Mad Jack” Fuller, a wealthy supporter of the Royal Institution who endowed the Fullerian professorships.

By the time of his appointment, Faraday had already risen from chemical assistant to director of the Royal Institution’s laboratory. The chair recognized both his research achievements and his importance to the institution’s public scientific work. He continued his investigations into electrochemistry, electromagnetism, diamagnetism, and the relationship between light and magnetism.

The title is sometimes confused with famous university chairs such as the Cavendish, Regius, or Lucasian professorships. Those are associated with other institutions and traditions. Faraday’s position was specifically a Royal Institution chair, and he was the first Fullerian Professor of Chemistry. Later holders included William Odling, James Dewar, William Henry Bragg, and George Porter.