Stephen W. Hawking

Stephen W. Hawking (1942–2018) was one of the most brilliant theoretical physicists and cosmologists of his generation. Despite being diagnosed with motor neurone disease at the age of 21, Hawking made groundbreaking contributions to the understanding of black holes, quantum gravity, and the origins of the universe. He held the prestigious position of Lucasian Professor of Mathematics at the University of Cambridge for three decades. Hawking had a rare gift for making complex science accessible to general audiences, best demonstrated in his landmark work "The Illustrated A Brief History of Time," which became an international bestseller and inspired millions worldwide.