Dr. Stephen Hawking died peacefully at his home in Cambridge in the early hours of Wednesday (16 th March, 2018), his family said.
Professor Hawking's official site :
http://www.hawking.org.uk/
The Briton was known for his work with black holes and relativity, and wrote several popular science books including A Brief History of Time.
At the age of 22 Prof Hawking was given only a few years to live after being diagnosed with a rare form of motor neurone disease.
The illness left him in a wheelchair and largely unable to speak except through a voice synthesiser.
In a statement his children, Lucy, Robert and Tim, said: "We are deeply saddened that our beloved father passed away today.
"He was a great scientist and an extraordinary man whose work and legacy will live on for many years."
They praised his "courage and persistence" and said his "brilliance and humour" inspired people across the world.
"He once said, 'It would not be much of a universe if it wasn't home to the people you love.' We will miss him forever."
Stephen Hawking and actors Bendict Gumberbartch (left photo) who portrayed him in TV movie Hawking and Eddie Redmayne (right) who portrayed him in movie The Theory of Everything.
Professor Hawking was the first to set out a theory of cosmology as a union of relativity and quantum mechanics.
He also discovered that black holes leak energy and fade to nothing - a phenomenon that would later become known as Hawking radiation.
Through his work with mathematician Sir Roger Penrose , he demonstrated that Einstein's General Theory of Relativity implies space and time would have a beginning in the Big Bang and an end in black holes.
The scientist gained popularity outside the academic world and appeared in several TV shows including The Simpsons, Red Dwarf and The Big Bang Theory.
He was portrayed in both TV and film - recently by Oscar winner Eddie Redmayne in The Theory of Everything, which charted his rise to fame and relationship with his first wife, Jane.
Some facts about Professor Hawking:
- Born 8 January 1942 in Oxford, England
- Earned place at Oxford University to read natural science in 1959, before studying for his PhD at Cambridge
- His doctorate thesis was Properties of Expanding Universe (1966)
https://www.repository.cam.ac.uk/bitstream/handle/1810/251038/PR-PHD-05437_CUDL2017-reduced.pdf?sequence=15&isAllowed=y
- By 1963, was diagnosed with motor neurone disease and given two years to live
- Outlined his theory that black holes emit "Hawking radiation" in 1974
- Published his book A Brief History of Time in 1988, which has sold more than 10 million copies
- His life story was the subject of the 2014 film The Theory of Everything, starring Eddie Redmayne
- Stephen Hawking once said that the greatest mystery in the Universe - Women! He rather met Marilyn Monroe than Isaac Newton.
- He passed away at the same age as Albert Einstein at 76 (died on 18 th April, 1955) and on the same day Albert Einstein was born (13 th March, 1879).
Tim Berners-Lee, inventor of the web, was one of the first people to pay tribute to Prof Hawking.
"We have lost a colossal mind and a wonderful spirit. Rest in peace, Stephen Hawking," he said.
Stephen Hawking with Dr. Neil Degrasse Tyson
Apple's co-founder Steve Wozniak said: "Stephen Hawking's integrity and scientific dedication placed him above pure brilliance,"Satya Nadella, Microsoft chief executive, said: "We lost a great one today. Stephen Hawking will be remembered for his incredible contributions to science - making complex theories and concepts more accessible to the masses."He'll also be remembered for his spirit and unbounded pursuit to gain a complete understanding of the universe, despite the obstacles he faced."
In his 2013 memoir he described how he felt when first diagnosed with motor neurone disease."I felt it was very unfair - why should this happen to me," he wrote.
"At the time, I thought my life was over and that I would never realise the potential I felt I had. But now, 50 years later, I can be quietly satisfied with my life."
"At the time, I thought my life was over and that I would never realise the potential I felt I had. But now, 50 years later, I can be quietly satisfied with my life."
Ironically , Professor Hawking was born in Oxford but obtained his ph.D in Cambridge University and passed away in Cambridge.
Stephen Hawking was married twice : Dr. Jane Wilde (1965 - 1995, doctorate in Spanish Poetry, 1981) and Elaine Mason (1995 - 2006) and had three children (with Jane Wilde).
Stephen Hawking and his daughter Lucy wrote a children book , George's Secret Key to the Universe in 2007, with sequels published in 2009, 2011 and 2014.
Many asked why Professor Hawking was given a Nobel Prize on his work! That is because even though the theory of Black Hole is widely accepted by the scientific community but the theory can not be verified, no physical observation, etc.
Even though he was confined to his chair most of his life , his contribution to the world is far greater than most of us walking around.......
Despite his disability , his undying love and contribution to science and humanity is a great inspiration for all.
One of the most signficant losses to humanity and science.......
Some of his rare photos
Stephen Hawking and his first wife , Jane Wilde, they were married in 1965.
Professor Hawking and his first wife Jane Wilde had three children : Robert (1967) , Lucy (1970) and Timothy (1979).
Stephen Hawking and first wife Jane Wilde, son Robert and daughter Lucy.
Stephen Hawking taking a Zero-Graviy flight (a modified Boeing 727) on 8 th January, 2007.
Rest in Peace , Professor Hawking, thank you for your contributions.
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