3. QUEST FOR A THEORY OF EVERYTHING

"Quest for a Theory of Everything" is a work written by Kitty Gail Ferguson. Stephen William Hawking was a Lucasian Professor of Mathematics. He was born on January 8, 1942, in Oxford. His parents were Frank and Isobel Hawking. He was not a person with exceptional qualities or abilities but a very hard-working person. He received his elementary school education from the local Saint Alban's School. By the time he was eight years old, he wanted to become a scientist. However, his father wanted him to pursue a career in medicine. Later, Stephen William Hawking went to University College in Oxford to study natural science. In the beginning, he did not like college life, but from the second year onwards, he began to enjoy it. He was a friendly, lively, buoyant, and adaptable person, and everyone liked his nature. He was known for his wit, loved listening to classical music, and enjoyed reading science fiction. He also participated in sports. In the third year, he chose theoretical physics as his special subject. Later, he started experiencing health problems, falling down for no reason, and physical deformities began to appear in his body. Despite his strength, he did not pay too much importance to this. He decided to pursue a Ph.D. at Cambridge. The authorities told him that if he achieved the first rank at Oxford, he could join Cambridge. He tried for the same, but he received a "borderline" result from Oxford. Due to his wit and caliber, the interviewer selected him for Cambridge. However, his first year was very challenging. He struggled to understand "general relativity" and began to experience physical weakness, even having difficulty tying his shoes properly. In 1963, Stephen Hawking was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Upon hearing this from the doctor, he fell into depression. When he emerged from it, he began to value life. The doctors predicted that he would live for only two years, but his willpower and positive spirit worked miracles in his life. His condition gradually improved. On New Year's Day, Stephen Hawking met Jane Wilde, who later became his wife. She was attracted to his wit, intelligence, eccentric nature, and arrogance. She did not care about his disease. As she had a strong belief in God, she thought that good would come to those who overcome challenges in their life. Her optimism and positivity motivated Stephen, and he applied for a research fellowship at Caius. In 1965, he got married, and Stephen obtained his research fellowship. Although he was successful both in his personal life and career, his disease gradually started to affect him. He had to rely on a cane for walking and began to stammer a little bit. However, he did not let these setbacks discourage him. He attended numerous sessions and interacted with many famous scientists, asking them numerous questions. Due to his active participation in these sessions, he came to be known as "a genius" and "another Einstein." In 1980, Stephen Hawking started writing a book, which he published with the aid of his disciple, Brian Whitt. The book was titled "A Brief History of Time." It delved into the great theories proposed by scientists like Newton and Einstein. In 2005, he revised the book and published an "abridged" version that incorporated the latest scientific developments. In 1984, Stephen Hawking took a trip to Switzerland, where he contracted pneumonia. Doctors saved his life by performing a tracheotomy operation, which permanently removed his windpipe. Since he was unable to speak, a computer expert named Walt Woltosz developed a program called "Equalizer," which helped him communicate with the rest of the world.