Stephen Hawking, an award-winning physicist, author of such well-known books as The Brief History of Time and The Universe in a Nutshell, which sold millions of copies around the world, died early Wednesday, a family spokesman said. He was 76 years old.
The family does not disclose the causes of death but says that he "died peacefully" in his home in Cambridge, England.
"We are deeply saddened that our beloved father passed away today. He was a great scientist and an extraordinary man whose work and heritage will live for many years, "the family's statement reads. "His courage and perseverance with his brilliance and humor inspired people around the world. Once he said: "It would not be a big part of the universe if it were not home to the people you love." We will always miss him. "
In 1963, Stephen Hawking was diagnosed with motor neuron disease (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), as a result of which he was almost completely paralyzed. Then the doctors said that he had only two years left to live. Or two and a half. He left behind the daughter of Lucy and two sons, Robert and Tim. They thanked his fans who "were on the side of Professor Hawking" and supported him throughout his life.
"I never expected that I would live to 75, so I was very lucky that I could reflect on my legacy," Hawking said in an interview with the BBC last year.
He made several major discoveries throughout his career, and once said that his biggest achievement was the discovery that black holes are not entirely black.
"I think my biggest achievement will be my discovery that black holes are not entirely black," he said, adding that this discovery will be crucial to "understanding how to resolve the paradoxes between quantum mechanics and the general theory of relativity. Of these, there is an exit and, perhaps, even another Universe. If you feel that you have fallen into a black hole, do not give up - there is an exit from there. "
In an interview in 2010 in "World News Tonight," ABC Hawking was asked about the best advice of the father, which he gave.
"These are the most important tips that I gave to my children," he said. "Do not forget to look at the stars, not at your feet. Never give up work. Work will give you meaning and purpose, without it life is empty. If you are lucky to find love, remember that this is a rarity and do not lose it. "
January 8, 1942 - was born in Oxford, England, the eldest of four children born to Frank Hawking, a biologist, and Isabelle Hawking, secretary of medical research.
1952 - enters the school of St. Alban.
1959 - receives a scholarship to study at University College, Oxford, where he studies the direction of "Natural Sciences."
1962 - begins research in the field of cosmology at the University of Cambridge.
1963 - at the age of 21, Stephen is diagnosed with degenerative ALS nerve disorder or Lou Gehrig's disease. Then the doctors said that he had two years to live.
July 14, 1965 - marries his first wife, Jane Wilde, a student studying modern languages, which he met at Cambridge.
1967 - the first son of the couple swarmed, Robert.
1970 - Jane gives birth to a daughter, Lucy.
1974 - at the age of 32 years was elected a member of the Royal Society, becoming one of the youngest people who received such honor.
1979 - becoming a professor of mathematics at Cambridge, taking up the prestigious post that was once held by Isaac Newton. Hawking holds the post until 2009. Jane gives birth to the third child, Timothy.
1985 - during his visit to the European Organization for Nuclear Research CERN in Geneva (Switzerland), Stephen Hawking fell ill with pneumonia. In the hospital, he was connected to the device for forced ventilation of the lungs and thus supported the life of the scientist. But later, in connection with the severity of the illness, doctors suggested that the physicist's wife disconnect him from life support devices. After a firm rejection, Stephen Hawking's wife was transported to Cambridge. Here, in a local hospital, he underwent an operation, as a result of which he was able to breathe again independently, but for ever lost the ability to speak. Next year he begins to communicate using an electronic voice synthesizer, having received his famous "robotic voice," with which he is identified. That is why he used this ancient hardware speech synthesizer for the rest of his days.
1988 - publishes "A Brief History of Time," a book on cosmology intended for the general public, which becomes an instant best-seller.
1989 - Queen Elizabeth II awards him with an honorary title.
1995 - marries his nurse, Elaine Mason.
2007 - divorced from Elaine Mason.
2014 - an autobiographical film about the life of Stephen Hawking "The Theory of Everything", based on the memoir "Journey to Infinity: My Life with Stephen" by Jane Hawking.
Today, on this day, I would like to recall what Stephen Hawking was and what he taught us. Below I want to present you a translation of the documentary of 2013. The film tells about the life of this amazing person from school years to today, and will also allow you to look at life with his eyes.
"It's hard for me to say anything good about the disease of motor neurons. But this illness has taught me not to spare myself because others have done worse. I continue to do what I can still do. No matter how difficult life is, there is always something that you can do and achieve this success. I'm not afraid of death, but I do not hurry to die either. First I have to do many more things. And I noticed that even people who claim that everything is predetermined and that we can not change anything, look around before they cross the road. "
"When your expectations are reduced to zero, then you begin to truly appreciate what you have."