Stephen Hawking: Birth and Family Background

Stephen Hawking was born on January 8, 1942, in Oxford, England, to Frank and Isobel Eileen Hawking (née Walker). His mother hailed from a family of doctors in Glasgow, Scotland, which reflects a strong academic lineage. Despite financial challenges faced by his family, particularly due to his paternal great-grandfather's bankruptcy during the early 20th century agricultural depression, both of Hawking's parents pursued higher education at the University of Oxford. Frank Hawking studied medicine while Isobel focused on Philosophy, Politics, and Economics. Isobel's career included working as a secretary for a medical research institute, and Frank became a medical researcher. Stephen was the eldest of four siblings, with two younger sisters, Philippa and Mary, and an adopted brother, Edward Frank David. This rich family background, combined with the intellectual environment fostered by his parents, played a significant role in shaping Hawking's future as one of the most renowned theoretical physicists of our time. #mooflife #MomentOfLife #StephenHawking #Birth #FamilyBackground #Oxford #TheoreticalPhysics