Stephen Hawking

Early Life and Family Background

Stephen Hawking was a theoretical physicist, cosmologist, and author who made significant contributions to the fields of general relativity and quantum mechanics.

Hawking was born on 8 January 1942 in Oxford to Frank and Isobel Eileen Hawking (née Walker). Hawking’s mother, Isobel, was born into a family of doctors in Glasgow, Scotland. Although the Great Depression of 1929 financially affected the Hawking family, his parents managed to attend the University of Oxford, where Hawking’s father studied medicine while his mother studied Philosophy, Politics, and Economics.

Hawking grew up with three other siblings, including an adopted brother. His family was considered highly intelligent and somewhat eccentric when they moved to St Albans.

Education and Early Interests

Hawking grew up in an academic household and developed a keen interest in mathematics and science. He started his education at Byron House School in Highgate, London. Unfortunately, he couldn’t learn how to read at the school and blamed the school for it.

Hawking later transferred to St Albans High School for Girls, where younger boys like him were allowed to attend at the time. Additionally, he also attended two private schools. Hawking’s family placed a high value on education.

As a young teenager, Hawking built a computer from clock parts, an old telephone switchboard, and other recycled components with the assistance of his mathematics teacher. Although he was not academically brilliant during his primary and secondary education, he gradually picked up.

Higher Education and Academic Success

Hawking enrolled at Oxford University at the age of 17 and graduated with a first-class honors degree in physics in 1962. He then went on to pursue his Ph.D. in cosmology from Cambridge University.

Diagnosis with ALS

Hawking’s life took a turn for the worse when he was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a rare and incurable motor neuron disease that gradually paralyzed him over the years. The doctors gave him two years to live, but he defied the odds and lived for more than 50 years. He eventually became confined to a wheelchair and used a speech device that he controlled with his cheek muscle.

Scientific Achievements

Hawking’s biggest scientific achievements include his discovery of Hawking radiation, the emission of thermal radiation from black holes, and the development of the no-boundary proposal, a model of the origin of the universe.

Writing and Media Presence

Hawking was also a terrific writer who presented his research and thoughts in several best-selling books. He appeared in numerous documentaries, television shows, and movies.

Personal Life

Despite his condition, Hawking was married and divorced twice. He had three children. He married his first wife, Jane Wilde, in 1965. Hawking met her at a New Year’s Eve party.

In 1995, he left his wife to marry one of his nurses, Elaine Mason. There were rumors that Elaine used to maltreat him, but he denied those allegations. The couple finally divorced in 2006.

Death and Legacy

Hawking passed away in 2018 at the age of 76.