World news - Inspiring People :Stephen Hawking Turns 70

The world famous scientist Stephen Hawking who is popularly known for his theories like Black holes, Theoretical cosmology, Quantum gravity and Hawking radiation will turn 70-years-old on Sunday. He is inspiration for many people around the world. Hawking was born on 8 January 1942.

Hawking was 21 years old when he was diagnosed with Motor Neurone disease which attacked shortly before his first marriage, and doctors said he would not survive more than two or three years. Hawking gradually lost the use of his arms, legs, and voice, and as of 2009 has been almost completely paralysed. But Hawking continued his research and completed his PHD.

Realizing he only had a few years left to live Hawking quickly began examining the universe and all it has to offer, become one of the most well known and respected astrophysicists the world has ever known.

Hawking was retired from his post as the Lucasian professor of Mathematics at Cambridge - a position once held by Sir Isaac Newton. He was in this position for 30 years, taking up the post in 1979 and retiring on 1 October 2009. He is now Director of Research at the Centre for Theoretical Cosmology in the Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics at the University of Cambridge

source:http://www.currentweek.net/2012/01/stephen-hawking-turns-70-mystery.html