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Stephen
Hawking
is a well-known physicist and cosmologist
and best selling author. He spent most
of his career as a Lucasian Professor
of Mathematics at the University of Cambridge
and became internationally famous for
his book, A Brief History of Time, in
which he broke down his theories on quantum
physics and cosmology in such a way that
could be understood by all levels of society.
Stephen
Hawking was born on January 8, 1942 in
Oxford, England. At the time, London was
under attack from the German Luftwaffe
during World War II and the Hawking home
in North London was not safe for the family.
After the birth of Hawking, his parents,
Frank Hawking, a research biologist, and
Isobel moved back to London to raise their
family. In 1950, at the age of 8, Hawking
moved with his family to Hertfordshire
where he began studying at the St Alban's
High School for Girls until 1953. When
Hawking turned 11, he was transferred
to the St. Albans School until his graduation.
Hawking
preferred studying mathematics but was
forced to study physics instead when he
enrolled at University College at Oxford
since mathematics was not considered a
focus. Hawking rarely studied which resulted
in some of his professors questioning
his academic performance. They realized
quickly, however, that his intellect and
cleverness were far superior than his
peers and his professors passed him with
first honors.
Stephen
Hawking graduated with a B.A. in 1962
from Oxford University. He hoped to continue
on and study astronomy but, after discovering
that Oxford was only equipped to study
sunspots, Hawking transferred to Trinity
Hall in Cambridge where he studied cosmology
and theoretical astronomy. It was soon
after this transfer that Hawking began
showing symptoms of the motor neuron disease
known as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
or Lou Gehrig's disease. After learning
of his illness, Hawking did not work hard
towards his Ph.D., choosing to see his
illness as an end rather than an obstacle.
It was only after he met and married Jane
Wilde in 1965 that Hawking returned to
complete his degree at Cambridge. He became
a Research Fellow and later a Professor
Fellow at Gonville and Caius College.
Among
Stephen Hawking's accomplishments and
awards are:
Member of the Board of Sponsors of The
Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists
Elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society
in 1974
Created as a Commander of the Order of
the British Empire in 1982
Was granted the position of Companion
of Honour in 1989
the 1988 Wolf Prize in Physics
Hawking
began focusing most of his energy on studying
Einstein's general theory of relativity
and the physics behind black holes. His
studies eventually led to proving his
first of many singularity theorems. This
first one was proven in 1970 and Hawking
continued to work with colleagues studying
theories and physic calculations that
helped to explain more about the universe.
Hawking
became so enthusiastic about his studies
that he wanted to be able to share them
with the rest of the world. As a result,
he put together a book that helped explain
his theories of the universe in a way
that most people could understand. This
book, A Brief History of Time, was published
in 1988 by Hawking and some friends and
quickly became a best-seller. He followed
it with The Universe in a Nutshell in
2001, and A Briefer History of Time in
2005.
Although
Hawking is confined to a wheelchair and
has lost most of his motor skills, he
continues to research, teach and give
lectures around the world. He even took
part in a zero-gravity experience courtesy
of NASA in 2007.
Stephen
Hawking and his first wife separated and
divorced in 1991. They had three children
prior to their divorce. He later married
a woman by the name of Elaine Mason, the
former wife of the man who designed Hawking's
talking computer, but they, too, divorced
in 2006.
This Stephen Hawking biography
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