“Quest for a Theory of Everything” is a biographical profile of Stephen Hawking.
- It is written by Kitty Gail Ferguson, a well-known science writer.
- The profile presents Hawking’s personal struggles and scientific achievements.
- It shows how he overcame a severe physical disability through courage and determination.
- On 29 April 1980, Hawking delivered his inaugural lecture at Cambridge University.
- He had been appointed the new Lucasian Professor of Mathematics.
- The lecture was held in the Cockcroft Lecture Room.
- Its title was “Is the End in Sight for Theoretical Physics?”
- Hawking surprised the audience by suggesting that the end might be in sight.
- He spoke about discovering a complete theory that could explain the universe and everything in it.
- This complete explanation is described as the “Holy Grail of science.”
- Hawking sat silently in a wheelchair while one of his students read his lecture.
- His appearance did not reveal the brilliance and power of his mind.
- His life proves that a person cannot be judged by physical appearance.
- Stephen William Hawking was born on 8 January 1942 in Oxford, England.
- He was born exactly three hundred years after the death of Galileo.
- His parents were Frank and Isobel Hawking.
- Though they were not wealthy, they strongly believed in the value of education.
- Stephen attended Saint Alban’s School after missing the Westminster scholarship examination because of illness.
- By the age of eight, he had started thinking seriously about becoming a scientist.
- His father wanted him to study medicine.
- Stephen disliked biology because he considered it imprecise.
- He preferred subjects that could provide exact answers and reveal the roots of things.
- Young Stephen was not considered a child prodigy.
- He was slow in learning to read, and his handwriting troubled his teachers.
- He remained only halfway up in his class.
- At fourteen, he decided to study mathematics and physics.
- His father considered mathematics an impractical career choice.
- Oxford did not offer mathematics in the course Hawking wanted to join.
- Therefore, he studied chemistry, physics and a little mathematics for the Oxford entrance examination.
- In 1959, at the age of seventeen, Hawking joined University College, Oxford.
- He studied natural science and specialised in physics.
- During his first year and a half at Oxford, he felt lonely and bored.
- Later, he became popular and well accepted among his fellow students.
- His friends remembered him as lively, cheerful, adaptable and witty.
- He enjoyed classical music, science fiction and sports.
- Hawking selected theoretical physics as his specialisation.
- He applied for doctoral research at Cambridge University.
- His admission depended upon obtaining a First from Oxford.
- His examination result placed him on the borderline between a First and a Second.
- The examiners called him for an interview and asked about his plans.
- Hawking replied that a First would take him to Cambridge, while a Second would keep him at Oxford.
- His sharp and confident reply helped him receive a First.
- He then went to Cambridge for higher studies.
- His inadequate mathematical background made general relativity difficult for him.
- During his third year at Oxford, he had begun to become physically clumsy.
- He sometimes fell without any apparent reason.
- At Cambridge, he had difficulty tying his shoes and speaking clearly.
- Shortly after his twenty-first birthday in 1963, tragedy struck him.
- He was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, commonly known as ALS.
- ALS gradually destroys the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord.
- There was no known cure for the disease.
- Doctors initially told Hawking that he had only about two years to live.
- The diagnosis pushed him into deep depression.
- He became confused about his future and lost interest in life.
- A dream about his execution made him realise that many worthwhile things remained to be done.
- He also dreamt of sacrificing his life to save others.
- These dreams brought a drastic change in his attitude towards life.
- The progression of the disease later slowed down.
- Hawking began to enjoy the present more than he had before.
- He realised that life was precious despite its uncertainty.
- Hawking met Jane Wilde at a New Year’s party at Saint Alban’s.
- Jane initially found him intelligent, eccentric, arrogant and interesting.
- She was attracted by his sharp wit.
- Jane was shy, serious-minded, optimistic and deeply religious.
- She believed that good could emerge from any adversity.
- Her optimism helped Hawking regain his will to live.
- They believed that together they could create something worthwhile.
- Hawking received a research fellowship at Caius College in 1965.
- Hawking and Jane were married in July 1965.
- His physical condition continued to deteriorate, but his confidence remained strong.
- He moved through the university corridors with a cane and supported himself against walls.
- He boldly questioned some of the world’s most distinguished scientists.
- His questions were unexpected, intelligent and penetrating.
- His brilliance earned him the reputation of being a genius comparable to Einstein.
- In 1980, Hawking decided to write a popular book about the universe.
- He wanted to make complex scientific ideas understandable to non-scientists.
- The book examined the origin, nature, boundaries and possible end of the universe.
- It also discussed time, black holes and the possibility of a complete theory of everything.
- Hawking completed the first draft of the book in 1984.
- During a visit to Switzerland, he developed pneumonia.
- He was placed on a life-support system.
- Doctors suggested a tracheotomy that could save his life but permanently remove his voice.
- Jane agreed to the operation despite her serious doubts and fears.
- After the operation, Hawking could no longer speak or make a vocal sound.
- A computer expert named Walt Woltosz sent him a programme called the Equalizer.
- The programme allowed Hawking to select words from a computer screen.
- It enabled him to communicate and continue his work.
- His student Brian Whitt helped him complete the book.
- “A Brief History of Time” was published in 1988.
- The book made difficult scientific ideas accessible to ordinary readers.
- An updated and abridged version was published in September 2005.
- Hawking’s scientific ideas reveal that things are often not what they appear to be.
- His work discusses paradoxes such as empty space not being empty and black holes not being completely black.
- Hawking chose to ignore his physical difficulties.
- He expected others not to treat his disability as the most important thing about him.
- His intelligence, humour and determination were stronger than his physical limitations.
- He overcame his crippling disease to become the “supernova of world physics.”
- His life teaches us that adversity should make us better, not bitter.
- The lesson proves that courage, optimism and perseverance can overcome severe limitations.
- Stephen Hawking’s life demonstrates the extraordinary power of the human mind.