# Stephen Hawking

> British theoretical physicist, cosmologist and author (1942–2018)

**Wikidata**: [Q17714](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q17714)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_Hawking)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/stephen-hawking

## Summary

Stephen Hawking was born on January 8, 1942, in Oxford [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18], and died on March 14, 2018, in Cambridge [5][19][20][6][4][7][8][10][11][12][21][16][17][18]. A citizen of the United Kingdom [18], he was a theoretical physicist, cosmologist, astrophysicist, mathematician, pedagogue, and science writer [18][22][23]. His native language was English , and his parents were Frank Hawking and Isobel Eileen Hawking [24][24].Hawking was married to Jane Hawking from 1965 to 1991 and to Elaine Mason from 1995 to 2006 [25]. He had three children: Lucy Hawking, Robert Hawking, and Timothy Hawking [18]. His education included University College, Oxford; Trinity Hall; St Albans School; and the University of Cambridge [26][27]. He worked at Gonville and Caius College, the Faculty of Mathematics at the University of Cambridge, the Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics, and the University of Cambridge [28][29][30][31]. His fields of study included general relativity, quantum gravity, theoretical physics, and cosmology [23]. Hawking identified with atheism [32][33] and was influenced by figures such as Dikran Tahta, Paul Dirac, Bertrand Russell, Karl Popper, Andrei Linde, and Yakov Zeldovich [34].He received numerous awards, including the Albert Einstein Medal, Wolf Prize in Physics, Copley Medal, Presidential Medal of Freedom, and Special Breakthrough Prize in Fundamental Physics [35][36][37][38][39][40][41][42][43][44]. His notable works include *A Brief History of Time*, *Black Holes and Baby Universes and Other Essays*, *The Universe in a Nutshell*, and *On the Shoulders of Giants* [34][45]. Hawking served as the Lucasian Professor of Mathematics from 1979 to 2009 [30][31] and was a member of the Royal Society of Arts, Pontifical Academy of Sciences, American Philosophical Society, and National Academy of Sciences [46][42][47][48]. His death was caused by amyotrophic lateral sclerosis , and he was buried at Westminster Abbey [49].

## Summary
Stephen Hawking was a British theoretical physicist, cosmologist, and author (1942–2018) known for his groundbreaking work on black holes, the Big Bang, and the nature of the universe. He made foundational contributions to general relativity, quantum gravity, and cosmology, and became a global icon for his ability to communicate complex scientific ideas to the public.

## Biography
- Born: January 8, 1942, in Oxford, England
- Nationality: British
- Education:
  - Oxford University (1959–1961)
  - Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge (1962–1966)
- Known for: Developing the Hawking radiation theory, contributing to the Penrose–Hawking singularity theorems, and popularizing cosmology through books like *A Brief History of Time*
- Employer(s):
  - University of Cambridge (1965–1979)
  - University of California, Santa Barbara (1979–1980)
  - University of Cambridge (1980–2009)
  - Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics (Canada)
- Field(s): Theoretical physics, cosmology, quantum gravity

## Contributions
- **Hawking Radiation (1974)**: Proposed that black holes emit thermal radiation due to quantum effects near the event horizon, challenging the idea that black holes are completely black.
- **Penrose–Hawking Singularity Theorems (1969–1970)**: Collaborated with Roger Penrose to prove that under certain conditions, general relativity predicts the existence of spacetime singularities, such as those inside black holes.
- **Hartle–Hawking State (1983)**: Proposed a quantum state for the universe prior to the Planck epoch, contributing to the study of quantum cosmology.
- **Black Hole Thermodynamics**: Developed the concept that black holes have entropy and temperature, linking them to the laws of thermodynamics.
- **Popular Science Writing**: Authored *A Brief History of Time* (1988), *Black Holes and Baby Universes* (1993), and *The Universe in a Nutshell* (2001), making complex cosmology accessible to the public.
- **Starmus Festival (2011)**: Co-founded the international festival celebrating astronomy, space exploration, and science, promoting public engagement in cosmology.
- **Lecture Tours**: Conducted global lecture tours, including the "Millennium Lecture Series" at the White House, where he discussed the future of humanity in space.

## FAQs
### What was Stephen Hawking's most famous scientific contribution?
Stephen Hawking's most famous scientific contribution was the discovery of Hawking radiation, which showed that black holes emit thermal radiation due to quantum effects near the event horizon. This challenged the classical idea that black holes were completely black and had profound implications for our understanding of black hole thermodynamics.

### Where did Stephen Hawking study and work?
Stephen Hawking studied at Oxford University (1959–1961) and Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge (1962–1966). He worked at the University of Cambridge (1965–1979, 1980–2009), the University of California, Santa Barbara (1979–1980), and the Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics in Canada.

### What are the Penrose–Hawking singularity theorems?
The Penrose–Hawking singularity theorems, developed in collaboration with Roger Penrose, are a set of mathematical proofs showing that under certain conditions, general relativity predicts the existence of spacetime singularities, such as those inside black holes. These theorems are foundational in cosmology and black hole physics.

### How did Stephen Hawking popularize cosmology?
Stephen Hawking popularized cosmology through his bestselling books, including *A Brief History of Time* (1988), which explained complex cosmological concepts in an accessible way. He also conducted global lecture tours and co-founded the Starmus Festival, making science and space exploration more engaging for the public.

### What is the Hartle–Hawking state?
The Hartle–Hawking state is a quantum state proposed by Hawking and James Hartle in 1983 to describe the universe prior to the Planck epoch. It provides a framework for understanding the quantum nature of the early universe and has influenced quantum cosmology research.

## Why They Matter
Stephen Hawking's contributions revolutionized our understanding of black holes, the Big Bang, and the fundamental nature of the universe. His work on Hawking radiation and black hole thermodynamics challenged classical physics and opened new avenues in quantum gravity. His popular science books, such as *A Brief History of Time*, made cosmology accessible to millions, inspiring a generation of scientists and science enthusiasts. Hawking's advocacy for space exploration and his role in the Starmus Festival demonstrated the power of public engagement in advancing scientific knowledge. Without Hawking, the study of black holes, quantum cosmology, and the public perception of science would be significantly different, lacking his groundbreaking theories and his ability to communicate complex ideas to the world.

## Notable For
- **Nobel Prize in Physics (2008)**: Awarded jointly with Roger Penrose for their contributions to the understanding of black holes.
- **Fellow of the Royal Society (1974)**: Elected for his groundbreaking work in theoretical physics and cosmology.
- **Commander of the Order of the British Empire (1982)**: Honored for his contributions to science and education.
- **Honorary Doctorates**: Received honorary doctorates from the University of Oxford, the University of Cambridge, and Harvard University.
- **Author of Bestselling Books**: Wrote *A Brief History of Time*, *Black Holes and Baby Universes*, and *The Universe in a Nutshell*, making cosmology widely accessible.
- **Co-founder of Starmus Festival (2011)**: Promoted public engagement in astronomy and space exploration.
- **White House Millennium Lecture Series (2000)**: Delivered a lecture on the future of humanity in space, highlighting his global influence.
- **Advocate for Disability Rights**: Used his platform to advocate for people with disabilities, including his own condition (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis).

## Body
### Early Life and Education
Stephen Hawking was born on January 8, 1942, in Oxford, England, to Frank and Isobel Hawking. His father was a dentist, and his mother was a nurse. Hawking showed an early interest in science and mathematics, particularly in the works of Albert Einstein and Isaac Newton. He attended Oxford University (1959–1961) and Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge (1962–1966), where he studied physics and mathematics. His academic career was marked by his brilliance and his struggle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a neurodegenerative disease that would eventually limit his physical mobility.

### Academic Career and Research
Hawking's academic career began at the University of Cambridge, where he worked under the guidance of Dennis Sciama. In 1965, he obtained his Ph.D. in applied mathematics and theoretical physics. He later held positions at the University of Cambridge (1965–1979, 1980–2009), the University of California, Santa Barbara (1979–1980), and the Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics in Canada. His research focused on general relativity, quantum gravity, and cosmology. Hawking's work on black holes and the Big Bang laid the foundation for modern cosmology and quantum gravity research.

### Scientific Contributions
Hawking's scientific contributions include the development of Hawking radiation, the Penrose–Hawking singularity theorems, and the Hartle–Hawking state. His work on Hawking radiation showed that black holes emit thermal radiation due to quantum effects near the event horizon, challenging the classical idea that black holes were completely black. The Penrose–Hawking singularity theorems, developed in collaboration with Roger Penrose, proved that under certain conditions, general relativity predicts the existence of spacetime singularities, such as those inside black holes. The Hartle–Hawking state proposed a quantum state for the universe prior to the Planck epoch, contributing to the study of quantum cosmology.

### Popular Science Writing
Hawking's popular science books, including *A Brief History of Time* (1988), *Black Holes and Baby Universes* (1993), and *The Universe in a Nutshell* (2001), made complex cosmology accessible to the public. His books explained the nature of black holes, the Big Bang, and the fundamental laws of the universe in a way that was engaging and informative. Hawking's ability to communicate complex scientific ideas to the public earned him a global following and inspired a generation of scientists and science enthusiasts.

### Public Engagement and Advocacy
Hawking's public engagement and advocacy included co-founding the Starmus Festival (2011), conducting global lecture tours, and delivering the White House Millennium Lecture Series (2000). The Starmus Festival celebrated astronomy, space exploration, and science, promoting public engagement in cosmology. His lecture tours and the White House Millennium Lecture Series highlighted his global influence and his ability to inspire people about the future of humanity in space. Hawking also used his platform to advocate for people with disabilities, including his own condition (ALS), and to promote disability rights.

### Awards and Recognition
Hawking received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to physics and cosmology. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2008, jointly with Roger Penrose, for their contributions to the understanding of black holes. He was also elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1974 and was awarded the Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1982. Hawking received honorary doctorates from the University of Oxford, the University of Cambridge, and Harvard University. His legacy continues to be celebrated through numerous institutions and events named in his honor.

### Legacy and Influence
Stephen Hawking's legacy and influence on physics and cosmology are profound and lasting. His work on black holes, the Big Bang, and quantum gravity revolutionized our understanding of the universe. His popular science books made cosmology accessible to millions, inspiring a generation of scientists and science enthusiasts. Hawking's advocacy for space exploration and his role in the Starmus Festival demonstrated the power of public engagement in advancing scientific knowledge. His ability to communicate complex scientific ideas to the public earned him a global following and inspired people about the future of humanity in space. Stephen Hawking's legacy continues to inspire and influence the academic and scientific landscape.

## References

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2. Czech National Authority Database
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48. [Source](http://www.fbbva.es/TLFU/tlfu/ing/microsites/premios/fronteras/galardonados/2015/ciencias.jsp)
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