Stephen Hawking: A Detailed Biography

Stephen William Hawking (1942–2018) was the British theoretical physicist, cosmologist, and author who became one of the most famous scientists of the modern era. Despite being paralysed by motor neurone disease (ALS) from age 21, he made groundbreaking contributions to black hole physics, cosmology, and quantum gravity. His 1988 book A Brief History of Time sold over 25 million copies and brought complex science to the public. This biography covers his Oxford childhood, Cambridge years, ALS diagnosis, Hawking radiation discovery, global fame, and final decades, as documented by the Encyclopaedia Britannica, the Stephen Hawking Estate, the University of Cambridge, and the BBC News.

Early Life in Oxford

Birth During WWII

Born on January 8, 1942, in Oxford, England (parents moved there from London for safety during the Blitz). Father Frank was a medical researcher; mother Isobel a secretary. Eldest of four children. Family moved to St Albans in 1950, as detailed by the Stephen Hawking Official Site.

Oxford and Cambridge

Studied physics at University College, Oxford (1959–1962). Graduated with first-class degree. Began PhD in cosmology at Trinity Hall, Cambridge, 1962. Diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in 1963 at age 21 — doctors gave him 2 years to live, as documented by the University of Cambridge.

Hawking Radiation (1974)

While at Cambridge, Hawking combined quantum mechanics and general relativity — discovered that black holes emit radiation due to virtual particle pairs near the event horizon (Hawking radiation, 1974). Black holes slowly evaporate — revolutionary idea that linked quantum theory, gravity, and thermodynamics, as preserved by the Hawking.org.

A Brief History of Time (1988)

Published A Brief History of Time — sold over 25 million copies, stayed on bestseller lists for years. Made cosmology accessible — explained Big Bang, black holes, time, and the universe without equations. Followed by The Universe in a Nutshell (2001), as analysed by the BBC.

Personal Life

Married Jane Wilde in 1965 (three children: Robert, Lucy, Timothy). Divorced 1995. Married Elaine Mason (1995–2006). Used wheelchair from late 1960s; voice synthesizer from 1985 after tracheotomy. Known for humour, determination, and advocacy for disability rights, as documented by the Guardian.

Later Years and Activism

Lucasian Professor of Mathematics at Cambridge (1979–2009) — chair once held by Newton. Advocated for space exploration, AI risks, and climate change. Appeared in The Simpsons, Star Trek, and Big Bang Theory, as celebrated by the National Geographic.

Death and Legacy

Stephen Hawking’s Enduring Impact

Hawking died on March 14, 2018, in Cambridge, aged 76 — ashes interred in Westminster Abbey between Newton and Darwin. His work on black hole information paradox, quantum cosmology, and singularity theorems remains central to physics. The Stephen Hawking Foundation and his voice in pop culture keep his legacy alive, as remembered by the University of Cambridge.

Frequently Asked Questions About Stephen Hawking

Why Is Stephen Hawking Famous?

For Hawking radiation, A Brief History of Time, and inspiring millions despite ALS.

What Is the Uncertainty Principle?

Heisenberg’s principle — position and momentum cannot both be measured precisely.

Where Was Stephen Hawking Born?

Oxford, England, January 8, 1942.

When Was Hawking Diagnosed with ALS?

1963 — at age 21.

What Is A Brief History of Time About?

Cosmology, black holes, Big Bang, and time for general readers.

Did Hawking Win a Nobel Prize?

No — widely tipped but never awarded (Hawking radiation not yet experimentally confirmed).

How Did Stephen Hawking Die?

ALS complications March 14, 2018, aged 76.