Stephen HawkingMost people have heard of Stephen Hawking, and many agree that he has had a huge impact on the scientific community over the past 50 years, but what was his contribution and how did he get where he is now? Was Hawking disabled at birth, and what made him unable to move or even speak? Was he always this smart? What are some of his greatest accomplishments? In the following pages, all will be revealed about how Stephen Hawking got to where he is today. Stephen Hawking was born on January 8, 1942 to his parents Frank and Isobel Hawking. They lived in Oxford, England. He was the son of two very intelligent people, both his parents were graduates of Oxford University and his father was a respected biologist. Despite this, they were not well endowed financially. “Hawking's father always wanted him to study medicine, but from a young age, Stephen showed a passion for science and the sky” (biography.com). Hawking and his mother often spent summer nights together looking at the stars, and it was always clear that he was interested in space. “Although he was very intelligent from a young age, Hawking was sometimes a poor student, spending his time playing games and even building a computer at age 16, instead of going to class” (biography. com). Although Hawking was not the best student, he went to study at Oxford at the age of seventeen. When Stephen Hawking arrived at Oxford, he found himself in a bind; there was no mathematics program at the time. Fortunately for him, Oxford offered two subjects that intrigued him: physics and cosmology. (I think this was an important part of Hawking's life. If Oxford had offered him mathematics degrees, he might never have become such a well-known and respected physicist. ...... middle of paper ...... as much time as possible to achieve his goals He lived each day as if it were his last, and now, at the end of the day, he has a lot to show for it. Living with ALS - Stephen Hawking". Web February 24, 2012. "Stephen Hawking." Wikimedia Foundation, February 23, 2012. Web February 24, 2012. "Stephen Hawking Bio.com". . "The Daily Galaxy - Great Discoveries Channel: Sci , Space, Tech." "Stephen Hawking's Theory Says "Yes" The DailyGalaxy February 24, 2012. -says-yes.html>.