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Stephen Hawking

Stephen Hawking: doctors gave him two years

Verified facts: 46

Stephen Hawking

Stephen Hawking was an English theoretical astrophysicist, cosmologist, and author. He studied physics at Oxford, and in October 1962 he began graduate study in cosmology at Cambridge. Already in his final undergraduate year, he had grown increasingly clumsy: he fell on some stairs and had difficulties when rowing. The problems worsened, and his speech became slightly slurred. His family noticed the changes when he returned home for Christmas, and medical investigations were begun. In 1963, at the age of 21, he was diagnosed with motor neurone disease. Doctors gave him a life expectancy of two years.

After the diagnosis, Hawking fell into a depression. His doctors advised him to continue with his studies, but he felt there was little point. His disease, however, progressed more slowly than doctors had predicted: although he had difficulty walking unsupported and his speech was almost unintelligible, the initial diagnosis that he had only two years to live proved unfounded. With the encouragement of his supervisor Dennis Sciama, one of the founders of modern cosmology, he returned to his work.

Hawking had met his future wife, Jane Wilde, at a party in 1962, the year before his diagnosis. In October 1964 they became engaged, aware of his physical limitations and shortened life expectancy, and on 14 July 1965 they married. Hawking later recalled: "Before I got motor neuron disease, I was bored with life. But the prospect of an early death made me realize life was really worth living."

In 1966, Hawking obtained his PhD in applied mathematics and theoretical physics. In the late 1960s, he began to use crutches and could no longer give lectures regularly. As he slowly lost the ability to write, he learned to see equations in terms of geometry. Werner Israel, who worked with Hawking in the early 1970s, later compared his achievements to Mozart composing an entire symphony in his head.

Hawking was unwilling to accept help or make concessions for his disabilities. It took much persuasion to get him to accept a wheelchair, but he ultimately became notorious for the wildness of his driving. Jane Hawking later noted: "Some people would call it determination, some obstinacy. I've called it both at one time or another."

In 1974, Hawking claimed that black holes emit radiation, known today as Hawking radiation. At first it was controversial, but by the late 1970s the discovery was widely accepted as a major breakthrough in theoretical physics. Between 1979 and 2009, he was the Lucasian Professor of Mathematics at Cambridge, widely viewed as one of the most prestigious academic posts in the world.

In mid-1985, during a visit to CERN, Hawking contracted pneumonia, which in his condition was life-threatening. He was so ill that Jane was asked if life support should be terminated. She refused, but the illness led to a tracheotomy, which required round-the-clock nursing care and caused the loss of what remained of his speech.

At first he raised his eyebrows to choose letters on a spelling card; then, in 1986, he received a computer program called the "Equalizer" and could simply press a switch to select phrases, words or letters. His speech had been deteriorating for years: by the late 1970s, only his family and closest friends could understand him, and someone who knew him well had to interpret for others. Released from that need, Hawking commented: "I can communicate better now than before I lost my voice." Originally, he pressed the switch with his hand and could produce up to 15 words per minute. He gradually lost the use of his hand, and from 2005 he controlled his communication device with movements of his cheek muscles, at about one word per minute.

One of the first messages Hawking produced with his speech-generating device was a request for his assistant to help him finish writing A Brief History of Time. In 1982, to finance his children's education and home expenses, he had decided to write a popular book about the universe that would be accessible to the general public. Published in 1988, the book proved to be an extraordinary success and appeared on the Sunday Times bestseller list for a record-breaking 237 weeks.

In late 2006, Hawking said that one of his greatest unfulfilled desires was to travel to space. Besides personal ambition, he wanted to increase public interest in spaceflight and to show the potential of people with disabilities. On 26 April 2007, he flew aboard a specially modified jet to experience weightlessness; it was described as a successful test of whether he could withstand the g-forces involved in spaceflight. But commercial flights to space did not begin before his death.

Stephen Hawking died at his home in Cambridge on 14 March 2018, at the age of 76, having lived more than 50 years after his diagnosis. His ashes were interred in Westminster Abbey, between the graves of Isaac Newton and Charles Darwin.

Timeline

  1. 1963 diagnosis
  2. 1974 Hawking radiation
  3. 1985 life-threatening pneumonia
  4. 1986 the "Equalizer" program
  5. 2007 weightlessness flight
  6. 2018 died at the age of 76

Every date and figure comes from a verified claim. Select one to go to the claim and its quote.

Stephen Hawking

“Before I got motor neuron disease, I was bored with life. But the prospect of an early death made me realize life was really worth living.”

The takeaway

A prognosis is not a verdict: Hawking was given two years to live, but he returned to his work, predicted that black holes emit radiation, wrote a bestseller about the universe and lived to 76.

Sources

Wikipedia article: Stephen Hawking

This text is adapted from a revision of the Wikipedia article and is available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Photo at the top: NASA/Paul E. Alers · public domain · Wikimedia Commons

Photo at the end: woodleywonderworks · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Claims and quotes

Every claim is taken from a Wikipedia article. Open one to see the verbatim quote.

  1. Stephen Hawking was an English theoretical astrophysicist, cosmologist, and author.
    was an English theoretical astrophysicist, cosmologist, and author
    Source
  2. In October 1962, after receiving a first-class degree in physics, Hawking began his graduate work at Trinity Hall, Cambridge.
    After receiving a first-class BA degree in physics and completing a trip to Iran with a friend, he began his graduate work at Trinity Hall, Cambridge, in October 1962.
    Source
  3. Hawking planned graduate study in cosmology at the University of Cambridge.
    A first-class degree was a condition of acceptance for his planned graduate study in cosmology at the University of Cambridge.
    Source
  4. During his final year at Oxford, Hawking grew increasingly clumsy: he fell on some stairs and had difficulties when rowing.
    During his final year at Oxford, he had experienced increasing clumsiness, including a fall on some stairs and difficulties when rowing.
    Source
  5. The problems worsened and his speech became slightly slurred; his family noticed the changes when he returned home for Christmas, and medical investigations were begun.
    The problems worsened, and his speech became slightly slurred. His family noticed the changes when he returned home for Christmas, and medical investigations were begun.
    Source
  6. In 1963, at age 21, Hawking was diagnosed with motor neurone disease; doctors gave him a life expectancy of two years.
    He was diagnosed with MND at age 21, in 1963; doctors gave him a life expectancy of two years.
    Source
  7. After the diagnosis, Hawking fell into a depression; his doctors advised him to continue with his studies, but he felt there was little point.
    After being diagnosed with motor neurone disease, Hawking fell into a depression. Although his doctors advised that he continue with his studies, he felt there was little point.
    Source
  8. Hawking's supervisor was Dennis Sciama, one of the founders of modern cosmology.
    he had been assigned Dennis William Sciama, one of the founders of modern cosmology, as a supervisor
    Source
  9. His disease progressed more slowly than doctors had predicted.
    His disease progressed more slowly than doctors had predicted.
    Source
  10. Although Hawking had difficulty walking unsupported and his speech was almost unintelligible, the two-year prognosis proved unfounded, and with Sciama's encouragement he returned to his work.
    Although Hawking had difficulty walking unsupported, and his speech was almost unintelligible, an initial diagnosis that he had only two years to live proved unfounded. With Sciama's encouragement, he returned to his work.
    Source
  11. Hawking met his future wife, Jane Wilde, at a party in 1962, the year before his diagnosis.
    Hawking met his future wife, Jane Wilde, at a party in 1962. The following year, Hawking was diagnosed with motor neurone disease
    Source
  12. In October 1964, they became engaged, aware of his physical limitations and shortened life expectancy.
    In October 1964, the couple became engaged, while aware of Hawking's new physical limitations and shortened life expectancy.
    Source
  13. Hawking and Jane Wilde married on 14 July 1965.
    The two were married on 14 July 1965 in their shared hometown of St Albans.
    Source
  14. Hawking recalled that the prospect of an early death made him realise life was really worth living.
    Hawking later recalled: "Before I got motor neuron disease, I was bored with life. But the prospect of an early death made me realize life was really worth living."
    Source
  15. In 1966, Hawking obtained his PhD in applied mathematics and theoretical physics.
    in 1966, he obtained his PhD in applied mathematics and theoretical physics
    Source
  16. In the late 1960s, Hawking began to use crutches and could no longer give lectures regularly.
    In the late 1960s, Hawking's physical abilities declined: he began to use crutches and could no longer give lectures regularly.
    Source
  17. As he lost the ability to write, Hawking learned to see equations in terms of geometry.
    As he slowly lost the ability to write, he developed compensatory visual methods, including seeing equations in terms of geometry.
    Source
  18. In the early 1970s, Hawking worked with Werner Israel.
    Hawking's early 1970s work with Brandon Carter, Werner Israel, and David C. Robinson strongly supported John Archibald Wheeler's no-hair theorem
    Source
  19. Werner Israel compared the achievements to Mozart composing an entire symphony in his head.
    Werner Israel later compared the achievements to Mozart composing an entire symphony in his head.
    Source
  20. Hawking was unwilling to accept help or make concessions for his disabilities.
    Hawking was unwilling to accept help or make concessions for his disabilities.
    Source
  21. It took much persuasion to get Hawking to accept a wheelchair, but he became notorious for the wildness of his driving.
    He required much persuasion to accept the use of a wheelchair at the end of the 1960s, but ultimately became notorious for the wildness of his wheelchair driving.
    Source
  22. Jane Hawking called it both determination and obstinacy.
    Jane Hawking later noted: "Some people would call it determination, some obstinacy. I've called it both at one time or another."
    Source
  23. Hawking predicted that black holes emit radiation, often called Hawking radiation.
    the theoretical prediction that black holes emit radiation, often called Hawking radiation
    Source
  24. In 1974, Hawking claimed that black holes emit radiation, known today as Hawking radiation.
    In 1974, Hawking claimed that black holes emit radiation, known today as Hawking radiation
    Source
  25. Hawking radiation was controversial at first; by the late 1970s, the discovery was widely accepted as a major breakthrough in theoretical physics.
    Initially, Hawking radiation was controversial. By the late 1970s, and following the publication of further research, the discovery was widely accepted as a major breakthrough in theoretical physics.
    Source
  26. Between 1979 and 2009, Hawking was the Lucasian Professor of Mathematics at Cambridge, widely viewed as one of the most prestigious academic posts in the world.
    Between 1979 and 2009, he was the Lucasian Professor of Mathematics at Cambridge, widely viewed as one of the most prestigious academic posts in the world.
    Source
  27. In mid-1985, during a visit to CERN, Hawking contracted pneumonia, which in his condition was life-threatening.
    During a visit to CERN on the border of France and Switzerland in mid-1985, Hawking contracted pneumonia, which in his condition was life-threatening
    Source
  28. Hawking was so ill that Jane was asked if life support should be terminated; she refused.
    he was so ill that Jane was asked if life support should be terminated. She refused
    Source
  29. The tracheotomy that followed caused the loss of what remained of his speech.
    the consequence was a tracheotomy, which required round-the-clock nursing care and caused the loss of what remained of his speech
    Source
  30. At first, Hawking raised his eyebrows to choose letters on a spelling card; in 1986, he received a computer program called the "Equalizer".
    For his communication, Hawking initially raised his eyebrows to choose letters on a spelling card, but in 1986 he received a computer program called the "Equalizer"
    Source
  31. With the program, Hawking could simply press a switch to select phrases, words or letters.
    Hawking could now simply press a switch to select phrases, words or letters
    Source
  32. By the late 1970s, only Hawking's family and closest friends could understand his speech, and someone who knew him well interpreted it for others.
    Hawking's speech deteriorated, and by the late 1970s he could be understood by only his family and closest friends. To communicate with others, someone who knew him well would interpret his speech into intelligible speech.
    Source
  33. Released from the need for an interpreter, Hawking commented that he could communicate better than before he lost his voice.
    Released from the need to use somebody to interpret his speech, Hawking commented that "I can communicate better now than before I lost my voice."
    Source
  34. Originally, Hawking pressed the switch with his hand and could produce up to 15 words per minute.
    Originally, Hawking activated a switch using his hand and could produce up to 15 words per minute.
    Source
  35. Having gradually lost the use of his hand, from 2005 Hawking controlled his communication device with movements of his cheek muscles, at about one word per minute.
    Hawking gradually lost the use of his hand, and in 2005 he began to control his communication device with movements of his cheek muscles, with a rate of about one word per minute.
    Source
  36. One of the first messages Hawking produced with his speech-generating device was a request for his assistant to help him finish writing A Brief History of Time.
    One of the first messages Hawking produced with his speech-generating device was a request for his assistant to help him finish writing A Brief History of Time.
    Source
  37. In 1982, to finance his children's education and home expenses, Hawking decided to write a popular book about the universe that would be accessible to the general public.
    In 1982, to finance his children's education and home-expenses, Hawking decided to write a popular book about the universe that would be accessible to the general public.
    Source
  38. A Brief History of Time was published in 1988 and proved to be an extraordinary success.
    The book was published in April 1988 in the US and in June in the UK, and it proved to be an extraordinary success
    Source
  39. A Brief History of Time appeared on the Sunday Times bestseller list for a record-breaking 237 weeks.
    His book A Brief History of Time appeared on the Sunday Times bestseller list for a record-breaking 237 weeks.
    Source
  40. In late 2006, Hawking said that one of his greatest unfulfilled desires was to travel to space.
    In late 2006, Hawking stated that one of his greatest unfulfilled desires was to travel to space.
    Source
  41. Besides personal ambition, Hawking wanted to increase public interest in spaceflight and to show the potential of people with disabilities.
    Besides personal ambition, he was motivated by the desire to increase public interest in spaceflight and to show the potential of people with disabilities.
    Source
  42. On 26 April 2007, Hawking flew aboard a specially modified jet to experience weightlessness.
    On 26 April 2007, Hawking flew aboard a specially-modified Boeing 727-200 jet operated by Zero-G Corp off the coast of Florida to experience weightlessness.
    Source
  43. The flight was described as a successful test of whether Hawking could withstand the g-forces involved in spaceflight, but commercial flights to space did not begin before his death.
    It was described as a successful test to see if he could withstand the g-forces involved in spaceflight. At the time, the date of Hawking's trip to space was projected to be as early as 2009, but commercial flights to space did not commence before his death.
    Source
  44. Hawking died at his home in Cambridge on 14 March 2018, at the age of 76.
    Hawking died at his home in Cambridge on 14 March 2018, at the age of 76.
    Source
  45. Hawking lived more than 50 years after his diagnosis of motor neurone disease.
    having lived more than 50 years following his diagnosis of motor neurone disease
    Source
  46. Hawking's ashes were interred in Westminster Abbey, between the graves of Isaac Newton and Charles Darwin.
    a service of thanksgiving was held at Westminster Abbey on 15 June 2018, after which his ashes were interred in the Abbey's nave, between the graves of scientists Isaac Newton and Charles Darwin
    Source

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