Stephen Hawking, renowned physicist, was once described as a “lazy kid” by his father, Frank Hawking, in a new biography. Frank expressed concern about Stephen’s lack of motivation and studies in his diaries, written in 1961. He noted that Stephen spent a lot of time at home with little initiative and did not put much effort into his studies.
In these diaries, Frank mentioned that Stephen’s mother, Isobel, believed he suffered from an inferiority complex and had lost faith in physics, favouring the arts instead. This was troubling for Frank, as he saw great potential in his son.
At the age of 21, Hawking received a devastating diagnosis of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), a motor neuron disease. Doctors estimated he had only two years to live. However, Hawking defied these expectations, ultimately becoming one of the leading astrophysicists in the world. He passed away in 2018 at the age of 76.
Hawking is perhaps best known for his book, “A Brief History of Time,” published in 1988, which sold over 25 million copies globally. His groundbreaking research on black holes marked a significant contribution to the field of physics.
In the final words of his book, Hawking encouraged readers to remain curious, look up at the stars, and embrace life’s challenges. He reminded us that persistence is vital, even when situations seem insurmountable. The biography underscores the extraordinary journey from a seemingly unmotivated youth to a legendary figure in science. The new book, “Stephen Hawking: His Life and Work,” is set to provide further insights into his remarkable life.
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