Stephen Hawking (born 8 January 1942 died
14 March 2018, aged 76) was an English theoretical
physicist, cosmologist, and author who was
director of research at the Centre for Theoretical
Cosmology at the University of Cambridge at
the time of his death.
He was the Lucasian Professor of Mathematics
at the University of Cambridge between 1979
and 2009.
In 1963, Hawking was diagnosed with an early-onset
slow-progressing form of motor neurone disease
(also known as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
(ALS) or Lou Gehrig's disease) that gradually
paralysed him over the decades.
After the loss of his speech, he was able
to communicate through a speech-generating
device—initially through use of a handheld
switch, and eventually by using a single cheek muscle
Hawking's scientific works included 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 out a theory
of cosmology explained by a union of the general
theory of relativity and quantum mechanics.
He was a vigorous supporter of the many-worlds
interpretation of quantum mechanics.
He died in 2018 at the age of 76, after living
with the disease for more than 50 years.
Hawking achieved commercial success with several
works of popular science in which he discusses
his theories and cosmology in general.
His book A Brief History of Time appeared
on the Sunday Times bestseller list for a
record-breaking 237 weeks.
Hawking was a Fellow of the Royal Society,
a lifetime member of the Pontifical Academy
of Sciences, and a recipient of the Presidential
Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian award
in the United States.
In 2002, Hawking was ranked number 25 in the
BBC's poll of the 100 Greatest Britons.
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