Profile of Stephen Hawking

Abstract

Although Stephen Hawking's early academic career lacked focus, the development of motor neuron disease straining against his hopes for a fulfilling life pulled the young scientist's work together. He has since become the world's most famous scientist due, in part, to his strong belief that science should be accessible to the general public. Hawking has published frequently for the academic community but has also published for the lay reader. His life has been recorded and examined by several biographers. This article gives an overview of Hawking's early life, academic career, his academic and popular publications, as well as a few of the works written about him.

Keywords:

• astrophysics
• biography of scientists
• cosmology
• Stephen Hawking
• history of science
• general relativity
• mathematical physics