George Riebau

George Riebau was a London-based bookbinder and stationer of German origin, best known for being the master to whom the young Michael Faraday was apprenticed in 1805. His supportive mentorship and the intellectual environment of his shop were foundational to Faraday's early scientific development. Riebau's encouragement and access to books were instrumental in transforming Faraday from a tradesman into one of the most influential scientists of the 19th century.

Early life and family

George Riebau was born around 1778, though precise details of his birth in Germany remain obscure. He emigrated to England and established himself in London during a period of significant intellectual ferment. Settling in the Blandford Street area of Marylebone, he became part of the city's community of skilled artisans and tradesmen. His family life is not well-documented, but he operated his business as a bookbinder and stationer from 2 Blandford Street, a location that would become historically significant due to his famous apprentice.

Apprenticeship to Michael Faraday

In 1805, at the age of fourteen, Michael Faraday was indentured as an apprentice to George Riebau for a term of seven years. The formal indenture papers, signed by Faraday's father, James Faraday, a blacksmith, bound the young Faraday to learn the "Art of Bookbinding." Riebau's shop was not merely a place of manual trade; it served as an informal library and intellectual hub. During his apprenticeship, Faraday was exposed to a wide array of scientific texts, including Watts's The Improvement of the Mind and the ''Encyclopædia Britannica'' article on electricity. This environment allowed Faraday to cultivate his burgeoning interest in natural philosophy.

Career as a bookbinder

George Riebau ran a successful bookbinding and stationery business at 2 Blandford Street. His profession placed him at the intersection of craft and the dissemination of knowledge during the early Industrial Revolution. As a master bookbinder, Riebau was responsible for the physical creation and repair of books, a trade that required precision and artistry. His clientele and the nature of his work brought him into contact with the literary and scientific ideas circulating in London. The shop itself became a repository of knowledge, where Faraday could freely read the volumes he was tasked with binding.

Role in Faraday's education

Riebau played a pivotal role as an enabler of Michael Faraday's scientific education. He actively encouraged Faraday's self-directed studies, allowing him to read customer's books and conduct simple chemical experiments in a back room of the shop. Recognizing his apprentice's extraordinary talent, Riebau introduced Faraday to members of the City Philosophical Society, a group dedicated to mutual improvement in science. Most significantly, in 1812, Riebau gave Faraday tickets to attend lectures by the eminent chemist Sir Humphry Davy at the Royal Institution. This act directly led to Faraday securing a position as Davy's assistant, launching his legendary career at the Royal Institution.

Later life and death

After Michael Faraday's apprenticeship ended and his scientific career began, George Riebau continued his bookbinding business in London. He maintained a correspondence with Faraday, who held his former master in high esteem and gratitude throughout his life. Riebau died in 1858 in London, having witnessed the rise of his protégé to international acclaim. His legacy is inextricably linked to his perceptive mentorship, which helped guide one of the key figures of Victorian science from the workshop to the world stage.

Category:1770s births Category:1858 deaths Category:English bookbinders Category:People associated with Michael Faraday