Stephen Hawking: Scientist, Human, Hero

Essay by LucasBaileyHigh School, 10th gradeA+, June 2005

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The most famous physicist and scientist in the world, Stephen Hawking, was born in Oxford England on January 8th,1942. His parents originally lived in London, but since world war II was still being waged, they thought it better to live in Oxford. Later they moved to St. Albans where he went to Saint Albans School, then to University College, Oxford, which was the college his father attended. While there, Hawking wanted to enroll in mathematics, but his father thought otherwise. Unfortunately, mathematics wasn't available, so he enrolled in physics, his destiny was set. When he graduated he was awarded a first class honors degree in natural science.

He then went to Cambridge to research cosmology, being that there wasn't a course at Oxford.

After gaining his Ph. D., he became a research fellow, he would later become a professional fellow at Gonville and Caius College, then on to the Institute of Astronomy in 1979.

He went to the department of Applied mathematics and Theoretical Physics, and was given the position of Lucasian Professor of Mathematics, and has held it since. Sir Isaac Newton also held this position.

Stephen Hawking's research has been focused on the universe, particularly the laws that govern it, including such topics as:" the big bang", and Einstein's general theory of relativity. Also, he has written many books concerning cosmology. Those include: The large Scale Structure of Space-Time, A Brief History of Time, etc...

Stephen Hawking has twelve honorary degrees from various institutions. He continues to live as any man would, despite his physical disability, he enjoys time with his family; wife, three children, and one grand child.

Stephen Hawking was diagnosed with ALS; though he lives as though it isn't so. His career has been blossoming, but his condition has gotten worse.