Stephen William Hawking is a physicist, cosmologist and is widely considered to be one of the greatest scientists. Hawking is most popular for his theories in the field of cosmology, in which he uses Einstein’s relativity theory and quantum mechanics. His book, “A brief history of Time” in which he explains his cosmology theories in a very simple manner understandable by the layman had been the bestseller for a really long time of 237 weeks.
Stephen Hawking is the Director of Research at the Centre for Theoretical Cosmology within the University of Cambridge. His scientific works include a collaboration with Roger Penrose, on gravitational singularity theorems in the framework of general relativity and the theoretical prediction that black holes emit radiation, often called Hawking radiation. Hawking was the first to set forth a theory of cosmology explained by a union of the general theory of relativity and quantum mechanics. He is a vigorous supporter of the many-worlds interpretation of quantum mechanics.
Childhood
Stephen Hawking was born to the also-highly-educated Frank and Isobel Hawking both of whom went to Oxford. His father Frank specialized in Medicine and Isobel in Philosophy and Economics. Stephen, who was one among four of kids of the Hawking couple was surprisingly not very good at academics as he was at learning things in general. Although teachers often dismissed him off for his poor performance in academics, they knew that there was a hidden genius in him, which is probably why he was nicknamed ‘Einstein’ while in school.
Career
He was expected to take on the same path as his father in medicinal research but did not find biology interesting as he thought it was ‘too inexact’. Instead, he studied physics at University of Oxford and later, Astronomy and Cosmology at the Trinity Hall, Cambridge. During his days in Cambridge, Hawking was diagnosed with ALS (Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) which would progress as he grew older. Stephen Hawking is also known for bearing the position of Lucasian Professor of Mathematics, a title previously held by Sir Isaac Newton. He had also won numerous awards and honours for his work. He had received nearly twelve honorary degrees and is a fellow of ‘The Royal Society’ and a member of The US National Academy of Sciences. In 2009, President Obama awarded him with the highest honorary award, ‘The Presidential Medal of Freedom award’.
Hawking in one of his speeches, famously said that the future of human race is in the outer space and not on the earth. He also thinks that space tourism should be supported. And if the day comes for something like that to happen, there will be one man who will be remembered even in the outer space that would be Stephen Hawking.
Few from many achievements & awards on this name
2013 – Special breakthrough prize in fundamentals physics, 2009 – President’s medal of freedom, 2008 – Ponseca prize, 2006 – Popley medal, 1988 – Wolf prize in physics, 1985 – Gold medal of royal astronomical society, 1979 – Albert einstein medal, 1976 – Hughes medal, 1975 – Eddington medal and 1966 – Adams prize.
Hawking suffers from a rare early-onset slow-progressing form of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as motor neurone disease or Lou Gehrig’s disease, that has gradually paralysed him over the decades. David, a computer engineer, adapted a small computer and attached it to his wheelchair. Today, he still communicates effectively despite the disease using a system known as the equalizer. Although he can only communicate with about 15 words per a minute because of his disease, he’s authored books, given lectures and written a lot of scientific papers. Released from the need to use somebody to interpret his speech, Hawking commented that .
“I can communicate better now than before I lost my voice”
Stephen Hawking has made unimaginably important contributions to some of our current understandings of science. He has answered ‘Einstein’s unified field theory’ which has led to a better understanding of the conditions that were present at the beginning of the universe as well as the physical laws of nature. He developed research on black holes no one else has and has made it possible for others to obtain more information on the subject after he passes on. He has pushed forth into outer space in hopes of finding somewhere else where humans can live in case of a disaster. His discoveries have led to new possibilities of how we understand things and how we can develop new ideas. Without Mr. Hawking, many things we know today could possibly have never happened. He has contributed to the unified field theory that Einstein started and Hawking believes that if it is developed humans will know the mind of god. He has made an outstanding legacy for himself and continues to develop and richen it.
“Not only does God play dice, but… he sometimes throws them where they cannot be seen”
– Sugandha Sharma
