Stephen Hawking

Stephen Hawking - San Francisco ALS convention

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Gross Witten Hawking TIFR 2001

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Stephen Hawking in Stockholm, 2015

Physicist Stephen Hawking in Zero Gravity NASA

Stephen Hawking%27s grave at Westminster Abbey#/media/

Stephen Hawking was a renowned British theoretical physicist, cosmologist, author, and Director of Research at the Centre for Theoretical Cosmology within the University of Cambridge. Hawking was best known for his work on black holes and theories of cosmology, particularly regarding the Big Bang theory and Hawking radiation. His scientific career was marked by his efforts to unify general relativity with quantum mechanics and his staunch advocacy for the many-worlds interpretation of quantum mechanics.

Early Life and Education

Stephen William Hawking was born on January 8, 1942, in Oxford, England. He grew up in a family of intellectuals and was encouraged to pursue his education at a young age. Hawking began his university education at the University of Oxford, where he studied physics. Despite being diagnosed with a rare form of motor neuron disease (later known as Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis or ALS) at the age of 21, he continued his studies at the University of Cambridge, where he pursued research in cosmology.

Career and Contributions

Hawking's work on the properties of the universe led to significant advancements in the field of cosmology. One of his most notable contributions was his theory on black holes, which proposed that they emit radiation, now known as Hawking radiation. This theory was revolutionary because it suggested that black holes could eventually evaporate and disappear, challenging the prevailing notion that nothing could escape from a black hole.

Hawking also made significant contributions to the understanding of the Big Bang theory, the singularity theorem, and the theory of inflationary cosmology. His work helped to explain how the universe began and evolved over time. In addition to his scientific research, Hawking was a prolific author, writing several popular science books, including A Brief History of Time, which became an international bestseller.

Personal Life and Legacy

Despite his diagnosis with ALS, which gradually paralyzed him over the decades, Hawking remained active in his research and public engagements. He communicated through a speech-generating device and was known for his distinctive computerized voice. Hawking was a popular figure in media and appeared in several television shows and documentaries.

Stephen Hawking passed away on March 14, 2018, leaving behind a legacy that transcended the realms of science. He is remembered not only for his groundbreaking work in physics and cosmology but also for his ability to inspire and engage the public in the wonders of the universe.

Selected Works

• A Brief History of Time (1988)
• The Universe in a Nutshell (2001)
• A Briefer History of Time (2005, co-written with Leonard Mlodinow)
• The Grand Design (2010, co-written with Leonard Mlodinow)

Awards and Honors

Throughout his career, Hawking received numerous awards and honors, including the Copley Medal, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and the Fundamental Physics Prize. He was a Fellow of the Royal Society and a member of the US National Academy of Sciences.