Entitled: "Deputation of the Royal Society Council to Michael Faraday in May 1858". Faraday is seated at right. The Council members are (l-r) Lord Wrottesley, John Gassiot and William Grove. Wrottesley had just resigned the presidency of the Royal Society, and was pressing Faraday to accept the post. Throughout his life Faraday refused many honors, including a knighthood and the presidencies of the Royal Society and Royal Institution. Beyond his scientific researches, Faraday devoted himself to serving the public through science. After an original oil painting by Edward Armitage,1871. John Wrottesley, 2nd Baron Wrottesley (August 5, 1798 - October 27, 1867) was an English astronomer. John Peter Gassiot (April 2, 1797 - August 15,1877) was an English businessman and amateur scientist. He was particularly associated with public demonstrations of electrical phenomena and the development of the Royal Society. William Robert Grove (July 11, 1811 - August 1, 1896) was a judge and physical scientist.