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Why was Michael Faraday important to the study of electromagnetism?

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Michael Faraday was a pivotal figure in the study of electromagnetism due to his groundbreaking experimental discoveries that established the foundation for modern electromagnetic theory.1

His key contributions include:

Electromagnetic Induction: In 1831, Faraday discovered that a changing magnetic field could induce an electric current in a nearby conductor. This phenomenon, known as electromagnetic induction, is the quantitative basis for Faraday’s law of induction.12
Invention of Electrical Machinery: He invented the first electric motor and the first dynamo, which demonstrated the conversion of electrical energy into mechanical energy and vice versa.13
Conceptualizing Fields: Faraday visualized magnetic fields as "lines of force" in the medium surrounding a magnet, a conceptual framework that provided the essential foundation for James Clerk Maxwell to develop classical electromagnetic field theory.12
Other Discoveries: He also discovered diamagnetism and demonstrated the relationship between magnetism and light.1