Stephen Hawking was an English theoretical physicist, cosmologist and an author who is known for setting out the theory of cosmology. The physicist suffered from a motor neurone disease in his early 20s that paralysed him over the decades. For his services in the field of science and research, Hawking was presented the Albert Einstein in 1978 and 79, the Wolfe Prize in Physics in 1988, Copley Medal in 2009 among several others accolades in his richly decorated career. Here is a timeline of the major events of the physicist’s life and career, which spanned for a period of over four decaded. January 8, 1942 – Hawking was born to Frank and Isobel Hawking in Oxford, United Kingdom 1952 – He begins his early educational years at St. Albans School 1959 – The physicist gets accepted into University College, Oxford on a scholarship, where he did his Bachelors in Natural Science 1962 – Begins research in cosmology at Cambridge University 1963 – The physicist is diagnosed with motor neurone disease and given 2 years to live at the age of 21 1965 – Marries Jane Wilde, his first wife 1966 – Hawking is awarded Adams prize, a prestigious accolade presented by University of Cambridge to those who excel in the field of Mathematics 1974 – Becomes one of the youngest people to join Royal Society of London at the age of 32 1975 – Is awarded Eddington Award, presented to those who conduct investigations of outstanding merit in theoretical astrophysics 1975 – Is awarded Hughes Medal by the Royal Society in London 1978/79 – The physicist is honoured with Albert Einstein Award – an award which was presented to those who excelled in the field of natural physics 1988 – Publishes bestseller ‘A Brief History of Time’ on cosmology 1989 – Is made a Companion of Honour with Queen Elizabeth II 1995 – Marries his nurse and second wife, Elaine Mason 2006 – Receives Copley Medal for outstanding services in Science 2007 – Divorces his second wife, Elaine Mason 2009 – Presented Medal of Freedom by US President Barack Obama 2014 – An Oscar winning film ‘The Theory of Everything’ on Hawking’s life is documented March 14, 2018 – Demise