Stephen William Hawking, born on January 8, 1942, in Oxford, England, was a renowned theoretical physicist, cosmologist, and author. Despite being diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis （ALS） at the age of 21, Hawking made groundbreaking contributions to the fields of physics and cosmology. His research laid the groundwork for today's understanding of black holes and the origin of the universe.
Hawking's academic journey began at the University of Oxford, where he graduated in 1962. He later became a终身教授at the University of Cambridge, where he made significant contributions to the development of cosmology, particularly through his work on black holes and the Big Bang theory.
One of Hawking's most notable achievements was his work on black holes. He proposed that black holes emit radiation over time, leading to their eventual evaporation. This theory, known as Hawking radiation, has been widely accepted in the field of physics.
Hawking was also the author of several popular science books, including "A Brief History of Time," which brought complex scientific concepts to a mainstream audience and became a bestseller. His other notable works include "The Universe in a Nutshell" and "A Brief History of Time: A Companion."
Stephen Hawking passed away on March 14, 2018, leaving behind a legacy of groundbreaking research and contributions to the fields of physics and cosmology.