biography（From Shy Child to World-renowned Scientist The Life of Stephen Hawking）

From Shy Child to World-renowned Scientist: The Life of Stephen Hawking

Early Life and Education

Stephen William Hawking was born on January 8, 1942 in Oxford, England. He was the eldest of four siblings and his parents were both Oxford University graduates. From a young age, Hawking demonstrated great intelligence and was often found tinkering with mechanical devices.

At the age of 17, he enrolled at University College, Oxford to study physics. However, he found the coursework to be too easy and quickly became bored. He transferred to Trinity College, Cambridge where he earned his BA in natural science in 1962 and his PhD in cosmology in 1966.

The Theory of Everything

After earning his PhD, Hawking became a fellow at Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge. In 1974, he made a breakthrough that would change the way we understand the universe. He proposed the theory of the radiation emitted by black holes, which came to be known as Hawking radiation.

In 1988, Hawking published his book \"A Brief History of Time\", which became a bestseller. The book challenged readers to think deeply about questions such as the origins of the universe and the nature of time. Despite its complex subject matter, the book sold over 10 million copies and was translated into 40 languages.

Legacy and Accomplishments

Hawking's contributions to science have been numerous. In addition to his work on black holes, he also made significant contributions to the understanding of the Big Bang and the nature of the universe itself. He received countless awards and honors throughout his career, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Obama in 2009.

Beyond his scientific work, Hawking also became a cultural icon. Despite being diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) at the age of 21, which paralyzed him gradually over the years, he continued to work and communicate through a computerized voice system. He was known for his wit, humor, and determination, and became an advocate for disability rights.

Stephen Hawking passed away on March 14, 2018, but his legacy lives on. He will always be remembered as a brilliant scientist with an indomitable spirit and a passion for understanding the mysteries of the universe.