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Stephen Hawking
1942–2018 · Theoretical Physicist & Cosmologist
A British theoretical physicist and cosmologist who made major contributions to the study of black holes and became a celebrated science communicator.
“However difficult life may seem, there is always something you can do and succeed at.”
Why is this scientist famous?
Predicting that black holes emit thermal radiation and writing 'A Brief History of Time.'
Hawking showed theoretically that quantum effects cause black holes to have a temperature and emit radiation, now known as Hawking radiation. This linked ideas from quantum theory, gravity and thermodynamics in a profound new way. His bestselling book A Brief History of Time also introduced cosmology to millions of readers.
Stephen's story
Early Life
Stephen Hawking was born in Oxford in 1942 and studied natural sciences at University College, Oxford, specialising in physics. He won a scholarship to Oxford and graduated with first-class honours. In 1962 he moved to Cambridge for doctoral research in cosmology under Dennis Sciama.
The Diagnosis
At 21, in 1963, Hawking was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a motor neuron disease. He was told that his condition was serious and that he might have only a few years to live. The disease progressed: he lost the ability to walk, use his hands, and eventually speak. The disease progressed unusually slowly, allowing him to continue his scientific career for more than five decades.
Black Hole Discoveries
Building on ideas in general relativity and work by Roger Penrose, Hawking helped develop singularity theorems showing that, under broad physical conditions, general relativity predicts unavoidable spacetime singularities. His most famous result came in 1974, when he theoretically predicted that quantum effects give black holes a temperature and cause them to emit radiation. This result, now called Hawking radiation, created a deep connection between quantum theory, gravity and thermodynamics.
Cultural Icon
His 1988 book 'A Brief History of Time' sold over 25 million copies and made cosmology a household topic. In later life he communicated using a computerised speech system, eventually operated through movements of a cheek muscle, he lectured worldwide, appeared on The Simpsons and Star Trek, and experienced weightlessness during a 2007 flight operated by Zero Gravity Corporation.
What did they discover?
Hawking Radiation
Predicted theoretically that black holes have a temperature and emit thermal radiation because of quantum effects, implying that black holes can gradually lose mass.
Singularities and the Big Bang
With Roger Penrose and through related work, developed singularity theorems showing that general relativity predicts spacetime singularities under broad conditions, strengthening the mathematical foundations of Big Bang cosmology.
A Brief History of Time
His 1988 popular science book that spent 147 weeks on the Sunday Times bestseller list and made cosmology accessible to millions.
Amazing facts
He was born on 8 January 1942 — exactly the 300th anniversary of Galileo's death.
He was given two years to live at age 21; he lived to 76.
Hawking was known for making playful scientific bets with fellow physicists about difficult questions in black-hole physics.
In 2007, at age 65, Hawking experienced weightlessness aboard a modified aircraft operated by Zero Gravity Corporation.
Hawking chose to keep the distinctive American-accented synthetic voice that became closely associated with him.
He appeared as himself on The Simpsons, Star Trek: The Next Generation, and The Big Bang Theory.
Timeline
Born in Oxford, England, on the 300th anniversary of Galileo's death
Diagnosed with ALS; given two years to live
Published his theoretical prediction that black holes emit thermal radiation
Became Lucasian Professor of Mathematics at Cambridge (Newton's old chair)
Published "A Brief History of Time"
Experienced weightlessness during a Zero Gravity Corporation flight
Died at age 76, on the 139th anniversary of Einstein's birth
Awards & honours
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1643–1727 · Physicist & Mathematician
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