Stephen Hawking was born on January 8, 1942 in Oxford, England, into an academic family.
His
father, Frank Hawking, was a doctor who worked in the British health service, while his mother,
Isobel, was a political activist. From a young age, Hawking showed a remarkable interest in
science, especially in physics and mathematics
Hawking attended St. Albans, where he stood out in his studies. In 1959, he entered University
College Oxford, where he graduated with honors in Physics in 1962. He then moved to the
University of Cambridge to do his doctorate in cosmology, under the supervision of Dennis
Sciama
In 1963, at the age of 21, Hawking was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a
disease that affects motor neurons and causes progressive paralysis. Initially, the doctors gave
him only a few years to live, but he defied all expectations. Although he lost much of his motor
ability, he continued to work on his research. He used an electric wheelchair and, later, a
communication system that allowed him to speak through a synthesizer.
Hawking experienced episodes of loneliness and isolation, particularly in the early years of his
illness. Difficulty communicating and the need for constant assistance could lead to feelings of
frustration and isolation
In 1965, he married Jane Wilde, with whom he had three children: Robert, Lucy and Tim. The
couple faced many challenges due to their illness, but they supported each other for years.
However, in 1991, they separated and finally divorced in 1995. In 1995, Hawking married Elaine
Mason, a nurse who took care of him.
Hawking stood out for his work on black holes and cosmology. His most famous theory is that
black holes are not completely "black," but emit radiation, which is known as "Hawking
radiation." This revolutionized the understanding of the physics and nature of the universe. He
was also a pioneer in the search for a unified theory that would unite general relativity and
quantum mechanics
His book "A Brief History of Time", published in 1988, was a great success and helped
popularize complex concepts of physics. Through his writing, he managed to make science
accessible to a general public, becoming a reference in scientific dissemination.
Throughout his life, Hawking received numerous awards and honors, including the Royal
Society's Copley Prize and the United States Medal of Freedom. He was director of the Center
for Theoretical Cosmology in Cambridge and a member of the Royal Society.
Hawking passed away on March 14, 2018, but his impact on science and popular culture
persists. His life is a testimony of resilience, curiosity and the ability of the human spirit to
overcome obstacles. His work continues to inspire scientists and science enthusiasts around
the world.
Despite his success, Hawking also faced criticism and skepticism in his work. Some of his
theories, especially about black holes and radiation, were challenged by other scientists.
Despite these difficulties, Hawking stood out for his resilience, becoming a symbol of
overcoming and an inspiration for many. His legacy endures not only because of his scientific
contributions, but also because of his indomitable spirit in the face of adversity.
