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Who Was Stephen Hawking?
Stephen Hawking was a distinguished British theoretical physicist, cosmologist, and author renowned for his pioneering contributions to our understanding of the universe. His influential works not only advanced the fields of physics and cosmology but also played a significant role in making complex scientific concepts accessible to the general public. Diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) at the age of 21 while studying cosmology at the University of Cambridge, Hawking’s remarkable life and achievements were notably depicted in the 2014 film The Theory of Everything.
Early Life
Stephen Hawking was born on January 8, 1942, in Oxford, England, coinciding with the 300th anniversary of Galileo’s death—a fact that Hawking often celebrated. As the eldest of four children born to Frank and Isobel Hawking, he was raised in a family deeply rooted in intellectual pursuits. His mother, a trailblazer for women in academia, attended Oxford University in the 1930s, while his father, a respected medical researcher specializing in tropical diseases, was also an Oxford graduate.
Hawking’s birth occurred during a tumultuous period, as England faced the challenges of World War II and the German bombing of London. Seeking safety, Isobel returned to Oxford to give birth to her first child. The family later welcomed two daughters, Mary and Philippa, and adopted a son, Edward, in 1956.
Described by a close family friend as “eccentric,” the Hawking household was characterized by a love of reading and learning. Family dinners often took place in silence, each member engrossed in their own book. Their vehicle was an old London taxi, and their home in St. Albans was a three-story fixer-upper filled with unique projects, such as beekeeping in the basement and fireworks production in the greenhouse.
In 1950, Hawking’s father became the manager of the Division of Parasitology at the National Institute of Medical Research, conducting research in Africa during the winter months. While he hoped his son would pursue a career in medicine, Stephen exhibited a profound fascination with science and the cosmos from an early age. His mother recalled summer evenings spent lying in the backyard with her children, gazing up at the stars, where she noticed Stephen’s growing curiosity and wonder about the universe.
Hawking was also known for his adventurous spirit. Alongside his sister Mary, he enjoyed climbing and finding creative ways to enter their home. His interests extended to dancing and rowing, where he served as a team coxswain during his college years.
Education
During his early academic career, Hawking was recognized for his intelligence but was not initially an outstanding student. In his first year at St. Albans School, he ranked near the bottom of his class. Nevertheless, he engaged in extracurricular pursuits, including board games and the invention of new games with friends. As a teenager, he and several peers constructed a computer from recycled materials to solve basic mathematical equations.
At 17, Hawking entered University College at the University of Oxford. Although he aspired to study mathematics, Oxford did not offer a specialized degree in that discipline, prompting him to focus on physics, particularly cosmology. By his own admission, he dedicated only about an hour a day to his studies; yet, his natural aptitude allowed him to graduate with honors in natural science in 1962.
Following his undergraduate studies, Hawking continued his education at Trinity Hall, University of Cambridge, pursuing a Ph.D. in cosmology. In 1968, he joined the Institute of Astronomy in Cambridge, where he began a fruitful research period. His first major work, The Large Scale Structure of Space-Time, co-authored with G.F.R. Ellis, was published in 1973.
In 1979, Hawking returned to the University of Cambridge, where he was appointed the Lucasian Professor of Mathematics, a prestigious position established in 1663, marking a significant milestone in his illustrious career.
Family Life
In 1963, at a New Year’s party, Stephen Hawking met Jane Wilde, a promising languages undergraduate. The couple married in 1965 and welcomed their first child, Robert, in 1967, followed by a daughter, Lucy, in 1970, and a third child, Timothy, in 1979.
In 1990, Hawking’s marriage to Jane ended when he began a relationship with his nurse, Elaine Mason. They married in 1995, but this new union strained Hawking’s relationship with his children, who felt that Elaine isolated their father from them.
In 2003, nurses caring for Hawking raised concerns with the police regarding potential abuse by Elaine. Although Hawking denied the allegations, prompting the investigation’s closure, the couple divorced in 2006. In subsequent years, Hawking reportedly reestablished connections with his family, reconciling with Jane, who had remarried, and collaborating with his daughter, Lucy, to publish a series of science-themed children’s novels.
Stephen Hawking: Publications
Throughout his career, Stephen Hawking authored or co-authored 15 books, several of which stand out for their impact and reach:
A Brief History of Time
Published in 1988, A Brief History of Time propelled Hawking to international fame. This accessible yet informative work introduced the concepts of cosmology to a broad audience, exploring fundamental questions about space, time, the existence of God, and the future of the universe. The book became an instant bestseller, remaining atop the London Sunday Times’ best-seller list for over four years and selling millions of copies globally, translated into more than 40 languages.
The Universe in a Nutshell
Recognizing that A Brief History of Time might not be easily comprehensible to all readers, Hawking released The Universe in a Nutshell in 2001. This book provided a more illustrated guide to key theories in cosmology, making complex ideas more approachable.
A Briefer History of Time
In 2005, Hawking introduced A Briefer History of Time, which further simplified the concepts from his earlier works and incorporated the latest advancements in the field, including string theory. Together, these three books, alongside Hawking’s own research, articulated his quest for a unified theory that merges cosmology with quantum mechanics, striving to explain the origins of the universe.
Hawking’s ambitious vision led him to propose that time travel could be feasible and that humanity might one day colonize other planets.
The Grand Design
In September 2010, Hawking released The Grand Design, where he contested the notion that God was responsible for creating the universe. Although he had previously suggested that belief in a creator could coexist with modern scientific theories, he argued in this work that the Big Bang was a natural outcome of physical laws. “Because there is a law such as gravity, the universe can and will create itself from nothing,” he stated, positing that spontaneous creation accounts for the existence of the universe and humankind. This publication marked his first major work in nearly a decade and sought to refute Isaac Newton’s assertion that the universe’s complexity necessitated a divine designer. “It is not necessary to invoke God to light the blue touch paper and set the universe going,” he declared.
Stephen Hawking: A Journey Through Disease and Discovery
At the age of 21, Stephen Hawking was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. This neurodegenerative condition progressively deteriorates the nerves that control muscle movement. Upon diagnosis, doctors gave him a grim prognosis of only two and a half years to live.
Hawking began to notice troubling symptoms while studying at Oxford University, experiencing occasional falls and slurred speech. However, he did not seek medical advice until 1963, during his first year at Cambridge. Initially, he kept his health issues private, but when his father noticed his condition, he insisted on a medical consultation. Hawking spent two weeks in a clinic undergoing various tests, which included muscle biopsies and X-ray examinations. Ultimately, doctors confirmed he had early-stage ALS, a diagnosis that devastated him and his family.
Despite the harrowing news, several factors helped him maintain hope. During his hospital stay, he shared a room with a boy suffering from leukemia, which made Hawking reassess the severity of his own condition in comparison. Additionally, a vivid dream about his execution prompted a realization: he still had much to accomplish in his life. Before his diagnosis, Hawking had found little fulfillment in his studies; however, the prospect of a limited lifespan ignited a newfound dedication to his work and research.
As his physical capabilities declined—by 1969, he required a wheelchair—Hawking’s career flourished alongside his deteriorating health. By the mid-1970s, he had enlisted a graduate student to assist with his care and professional responsibilities. Although he retained some independence, such as feeding himself, he required significant assistance for most tasks. His speech became increasingly slurred, rendering it unintelligible to those who did not know him well. In 1985, after undergoing a tracheotomy, he lost his natural voice entirely, necessitating round-the-clock nursing care.
In a pivotal moment, a California computer programmer developed a speech-generating device that allowed Hawking to communicate through a computer interface, initially using a handheld clicker. As his condition progressed, he adapted to controlling the device with a cheek muscle connected to a sensor. This technology enabled him to continue his prolific writing, which included both scientific papers and works intended for the general public.
Despite ongoing health challenges, including a severe chest infection in 2009 that temporarily rendered him gravely ill, Hawking’s contributions to science remained significant.
Contributions to Science
In 1974, Hawking achieved widespread recognition within the scientific community by demonstrating that black holes are not merely cosmic voids but rather can emit radiation, now referred to as Hawking radiation. This groundbreaking theory contradicted the prevailing belief that nothing could escape the gravitational pull of a black hole. Collaborating with fellow cosmologist Roger Penrose, who had earlier explored the life cycle of stars and the formation of black holes, Hawking’s work redefined scientific understanding of the universe’s origins.
Hawking’s revelation regarding black holes created a sensation in scientific circles, leading to his election as a fellow of the Royal Society at the age of 32 and earning him numerous accolades, including the Albert Einstein Award. His academic tenure included visiting professorships at prestigious institutions, such as Caltech and Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge.
In 2015, during a conference in Sweden, Hawking presented new insights regarding black holes and the long-debated “information paradox.” He proposed that information regarding the physical state of an object that enters a black hole could be stored in a two-dimensional form on its event horizon, challenging the notion of black holes as eternal prisons.
Hawking also addressed profound questions about the origins of the universe. In a 2018 interview, he posited that before the Big Bang, there was no physical reality—employing a concept of imaginary time to explain the universe’s existence as a boundless four-dimensional curved surface.
Passion for Space Travel
In 2007, at the age of 65, Hawking experienced weightlessness for the first time during a flight on a modified Boeing 727, further igniting his passion for space exploration. He expressed concern over humanity’s future on Earth, emphasizing the necessity for space travel as a safeguard against existential threats such as climate change, nuclear conflict, and pandemics.
Popular Culture and Legacy
Stephen Hawking transcended the boundaries of academia, becoming a cultural icon. He made memorable guest appearances on popular television shows, including The Simpsons and Star Trek: The Next Generation. In 1992, filmmaker Errol Morris released a documentary about his life titled A Brief History of Time. Hawking’s story was further popularized in the film The Theory of Everything (2014), which depicted his life, academic journey, and personal relationships.
In 2016, he hosted and narrated Genius, a television series aimed at making science accessible to the public. Through his appearances and groundbreaking work, Hawking not only advanced our understanding of the universe but also inspired countless individuals worldwide with his unwavering determination and intellect. His legacy endures as a testament to the human spirit’s resilience in the face of adversity.
The iBrain
In 2011, renowned physicist Stephen Hawking participated in a groundbreaking trial for a novel headband-like device known as the iBrain. This innovative technology is designed to “read” the wearer’s thoughts by detecting electrical brain signals, which are subsequently interpreted by a specialized algorithm, as reported by The New York Times. The iBrain holds significant promise as a potential aid for individuals living with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
Hawking on Artificial Intelligence
In 2014, Hawking, alongside several leading scientists, voiced concerns regarding the potential dangers associated with artificial intelligence (AI). They advocated for comprehensive research into the implications of AI development. Their warnings were partly inspired by the film Transcendence, which explores the conflicts arising from the intersection of humanity and advanced technology. The group asserted, “Success in creating AI would be the biggest event in human history. Unfortunately, it might also be the last, unless we learn how to avoid the risks.” They cautioned about a future where AI could surpass human capabilities in various domains, including outsmarting financial markets, innovating beyond human researchers, manipulating human leaders, and developing incomprehensible weaponry.
Hawking reiterated his views during a technology conference in Lisbon, Portugal, in November 2017. He acknowledged that while AI could significantly contribute to eradicating poverty and disease, it also posed risks such as the creation of autonomous weapons. He stated, “We cannot know if we will be infinitely helped by AI, or ignored by it and sidelined, or conceivably destroyed by it.”
Hawking and Extraterrestrial Life
In July 2015, Hawking held a news conference in London to announce the inception of Breakthrough Listen, a project funded by Russian entrepreneur Yuri Milner. This initiative aims to allocate substantial resources toward the exploration of extraterrestrial life.
Breaking the Internet
In October 2017, Cambridge University made Hawking’s 1965 doctoral thesis, titled “Properties of Expanding Universes,” available on its website. The immediate surge in interest caused the university’s server to crash, although the document garnered an impressive 60,000 views within the first day of its online release.
The Passing of Stephen Hawking
Stephen Hawking passed away on March 14, 2018, due to complications from ALS, a disease that had defied expectations and allowed him to live for over five decades beyond his initial prognosis. A family spokesman confirmed his death at his home in Cambridge, England.
The news of his passing resonated widely, affecting colleagues and admirers alike. Fellow theoretical physicist and author Lawrence Krauss expressed his grief on social media, stating, “A star just went out in the cosmos. We have lost an amazing human being. Hawking fought and tamed the cosmos bravely for 76 years and taught us all something important about what it truly means to celebrate being human.”
In a heartfelt statement, Hawking’s children remarked, “We are deeply saddened that our beloved father passed away today. He was a great scientist and an extraordinary man whose work and legacy will live on for many years. His courage and persistence, coupled with his brilliance and humor, inspired people across the world. He once said, ‘It would not be much of a universe if it wasn’t home to the people you love.’ We will miss him forever.”
Later that month, it was announced that Hawking’s ashes would be interred at Westminster Abbey in London, joining the graves of other scientific luminaries such as Isaac Newton and Charles Darwin. On May 2, 2018, his final paper, titled “A Smooth Exit from Eternal Inflation?” was published in the Journal of High Energy Physics. Submitted just ten days prior to his death, the paper, co-authored with Belgian physicist Thomas Hertog, challenges the prevailing notion that the universe will continue to expand indefinitely.