Stephen Hawking was born just outside London, England in the midst of World War II. He grew up in St. Alban's and went on to study physics at Oxford University. His father wanted him to study medicine, and his own preference was for mathematics. After sailing through his undergraduate years, barely doing any work, he was awarded a first class degree. On graduation, he transferred to Cambridge University to work on his PhD in cosmology.
Theoretical Physicist Stephen Hawking
As a theoretical physicist, he grapples with problems that most of us can only imagine. However, he not only seeks the truth of our universe, he manages to explain it in such a way that most of us can understand.
Since obtaining his doctorate in 1979, he has devoted his life to academia, and held the position of Lucasian Professor of Mathematics at Cambridge University, a post once held by Sir Isaac Newton, for a record thirty years before stepping down in late 2009.
He has proven that Einstein's Theory of Relativity implies that the Universe began with the Big Bang and his work suggest that it will end in black holes. By justifying the General Theory of Relativity with Quantum Theory, Hawking proved that the Big Bang Theory satisfied scientific laws and that black holes are not completely black: rather, they emit radiation and, at last, evaporate.
Making Physics Accessible to the Public
Over the years, Stephen Hawking has written several books and papers, possibly the most famous being his best-seller,A Brief History of Time. Although excused from teaching undergraduates for most of his career, he has given a number of public lectures over the years and these are generally well-received.
Hawking strives to make complex issues very understandable to the layman and has addressed such topics as the origin of intelligent life in the Universe; science fiction becoming science fact (he is reportedly a confirmed Star Trek fan!); predicting the future, confirming the laws of nature; and the beginning of time as explained by science.
Trapped Inside his Body -- Hawking's Battle With Motor Neuron Disease
To the general public, the most recognizable attribute may be his disability. The electric wheelchair and synthesized voice are hard to ignore. However, they do not get in the way of a productive and relatively happy life.
Although never physically adept, it came as a shock when, during his undergraduate years he became more clumsy, even falling down for no apparent reason. At the age of 21, he was diagnosed with motor neuron disease. It was anticipated that he would not live long, but he did not ask for details. His doctors told him to return to work on his research. Instead, he immersed himself in music. Contemporary accounts suggest he was drinking heavily, a fact he denies. Suspicion may have been aroused by his occasional slurred speech.
During this time, he met his wife-to-be, Jane, which gave him the will to live and to find a job. A man with a less powerful mind would have struggled, but he was lucky in his chosen field -- he could do much of the work purely by applying his mind. The couple had three healthy children, but gradually Hawking suffered physical deterioration until he needed help in the mornings and evenings. His speech was also deteriorating, but he could still be understood by those closest to him.
In 1985, he suffered from pneumonia, necessitating a tracheotomy. Since that time, he has needed 24 hour nursing and his speech has been non-existent. He has tried increasingly complex and advanced voice synthesizers. His current one is fitted to his wheelchair and allows him to speak at 15 words per minute, or record his words to disc for future broadcasting. The only thing he does not like about it is the American accent!
Readers who wish to learn more about Hawking's thoughts on his condition can read about it his disability in his own words.
Lynne Thompson - Lynne has many diverse interests, ranging from early childhood and crafts to history and literature. She holds a Masters degree in ...
