# Stiven Horking By [Mishel](https://paragraph.com/@mishel-2) · 2024-01-17 --- **Stephen William Hawking** (8 January 1942 – 14 March 2018) was an English [theoretical physicist](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theoretical_physics), [cosmologist](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cosmologist), and author who was director of research at the [Centre for Theoretical Cosmology](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Centre_for_Theoretical_Cosmology) at the [University of Cambridge](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_Cambridge).[\[6\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_Hawking#cite_note-rsbm-6)[\[17\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_Hawking#cite_note-Auto2J-2-17)[\[18\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_Hawking#cite_note-Auto2J-3-18) Between 1979 and 2009, he was the [Lucasian Professor of Mathematics](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lucasian_Professor_of_Mathematics) at Cambridge, widely viewed as one of the most prestigious academic posts in the world.[\[19\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_Hawking#cite_note-19) Hawking was born in [Oxford](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oxford) into a family of physicians. In October 1959, at the age of 17, he began his university education at [University College, Oxford](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_College,_Oxford), where he received a [first-class](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Class_Honours) [BA degree](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honours_degree) in [physics](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Physics). In October 1962, he began his graduate work at [Trinity Hall, Cambridge](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trinity_Hall,_Cambridge), where, in March 1966, he obtained his [PhD degree](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PhD_degree) in [applied mathematics](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Applied_mathematics) and theoretical physics, specialising in [general relativity](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_relativity) and [cosmology](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cosmology). In 1963, at age 21, Hawking was diagnosed with an early-onset slow-progressing form of [motor neurone disease](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motor_neurone_disease) that gradually, over decades, paralysed him.[\[20\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_Hawking#cite_note-20)[\[21\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_Hawking#cite_note-:0-21) After the loss of his speech, he communicated through a [speech-generating device](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Speech-generating_device) initially through use of a handheld switch, and eventually by using a single cheek muscle.[\[22\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_Hawking#cite_note-22) Hawking's scientific works included a collaboration with [Roger Penrose](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roger_Penrose) on [gravitational singularity theorems](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Penrose%E2%80%93Hawking_singularity_theorems) in the framework of general relativity, and the theoretical prediction that [black holes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_hole) emit radiation, often called [Hawking radiation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hawking_radiation). Initially, Hawking radiation was controversial. By the late 1970s and following the publication of further research, the discovery was widely accepted as a major breakthrough in theoretical physics. Hawking was the first to set out a theory of cosmology explained by a union of the general theory of relativity and [quantum mechanics](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quantum_mechanics). He was a vigorous supporter of the [many-worlds interpretation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Many-worlds_interpretation) of quantum mechanics.[\[23\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_Hawking#cite_note-23)[\[24\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_Hawking#cite_note-24) Hawking achieved commercial success with several works of [popular science](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Popular_science) in which he discussed his theories and cosmology in general. His book [_A Brief History of Time_](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Brief_History_of_Time) appeared on the [_Sunday Times_](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Sunday_Times) bestseller list for a record-breaking 237 weeks. Hawking was a [Fellow of the Royal Society](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fellow_of_the_Royal_Society), a lifetime member of the [Pontifical Academy of Sciences](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pontifical_Academy_of_Sciences), and a recipient of the [Presidential Medal of Freedom](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Presidential_Medal_of_Freedom), the highest civilian award in the United States. In 2002, Hawking was ranked number 25 in the [BBC](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BBC)'s poll of the [_100 Greatest Britons_](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/100_Greatest_Britons). He died in 2018 at the age of 76, after having motor neurone disease for more than 50 years. --- *Originally published on [Mishel](https://paragraph.com/@mishel-2/stiven-horking)*