This is Professor Stephen Hawking.
He was one of the world’s greatest scientists.
He was born in Oxford in 1942.
He was an expert in space and cosmology (the science of the universe).
He said that he wanted to have a complete understanding of the universe.
He wrote best-selling books.
Watch: The achievements of Professor Stephen Hawking
In the 20th century, Professor Stephen Hawking made a huge difference to the world by solving some of the biggest mysteries of the universe and helping ordinary people to understand science.
"Black holes are stranger than anything dreamed up by science fiction writers but they are firmly matters of science fact."
Born in 1942, Stephen was clever, curious and loved mathematics!
He studied and worked at two of the world's most famous universities, Oxford and Cambridge.He said his goal was to have a complete understanding of the Universe.
But when he was 21, Stephen’s body developed a disease. His brain stopped sending messages to his body properly. He was told he only had two years to live. Nevertheless, he carried on with his work. After a few years, he couldn't walk or talk and needed a special wheelchair. But he had lived longer than anyone expected. Over 50 years longer!
To help ordinary people understand science, Stephen published a book called A Brief History Of Time in 1998. Then in 2007, he wrote a book for children. Now everyone could understand more about the Universe!
Despite his disease, Stephen had a great sense of fun and was determined to do as much as he could. He had three children, wrote 15 books and even flew like an astronaut!
Stephen Hawking died, aged 76 in 2018.
He said, "Remember to look up at the sky, and not down at your feet. However difficult life may seem, there is always something you can do and succeed at. It matters that you don't give up". Because Stephen didn't give up, we can all understand more about the Universe!
What did Stephen Hawking do?
- Stephen Hawking went to both Oxford and Cambridge universities.
- He discovered things about space and the universe.
- When he was 21, he found out he had motor neurone disease. This affected his speech and movement.
- Later, he used a wheelchair and spoke with a special computer. He controlled it by moving his cheek.
- He wanted to help ordinary people understand science.
- His book A Brief History of Time sold 9 million copies and made him world-famous.
- His ashes are buried in Westminster Abbey in London between scientists Sir Isaac Newton and Charles Darwin.
Did you know?
- He became Professor of Mathematics at Cambridge University. Isaac Newton had the same job 300 years before!
- He travelled the world giving talks and signing copies of his books.
- He also wrote a children’s book with his daughter Lucy, called George’s Secret Key to the Universe.
Activity 1 – Sort the events of Stephen Hawking's life
Activity 2 – Stephen Hawking quiz
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