Stephen William Hawking was born on the 8th of January, 1942 in Oxford and died at his home in Cambridge on 14 March 2018, at the age of 76. He was interested in science since the very young age and became one of the best known scientists of modern times. Nowadays Hawking is an outstanding theoretical physicist, cosmologist, author and Director of Research at the Centre for Theoretical Cosmology within the University of Cambridge.

His scientific works include a collaboration with Roger Penrose on gravitational singularity theorems in the framework of general relativity, and the theoretical prediction that black holes emit radiation, often called Hawking radiation. He is a vigorous supporter of the many-worlds interpretation of quantum mechanics.

Hawking has a rare early-onset, slow-progressing form of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), commonly known as motor neurone disease. Hawking was healthy in his early ages, but he began experiencing increased clumsiness and speech problems during his student years. His wife Jane, depicted here, supported her husband a lot through his health problems, so Hawking was able to continue working. They separated in 1990 and officially divorced in 1995.

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