Update 14 March 2018.
Stephen Hawking passed away peacefully early this morning at the age of 76. RIP
Stephen Hawking
This week sees Stephen Hawking turns 70. A remarkable feat in itself as at 22 he was diagnosed with Als (Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), a kind of motor neurone disease of which he was not expected to live more than 5 years. His remarkable forever searching mind is probably what is keeping him alive, giving him the will to live. Astonishing!
God not only plays dice. He only sometimes throws the dice where they cannot be seen.
– Stephen Hawking
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In effect we have redefined the task of science to be the discovery of laws that will enable us to predict events up to the limits set by the uncertainty principle.
– Stephen Hawking
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Intelligence is the ability to adapt to change.
– Stephen Hawking
If we find the answer to that (why it is that we and the universe exist?), it would be the ultimate triumph of human reason – for then we would know the mind of God.
– Stephen Hawking
People won’t have time for you if you are always angry or complaining.
– Stephen Hawking
“Remember to look up at the stars and not down at your feet.”
“Never give up work. Work gives you meaning and purpose and life is empty without it.”
“If you are lucky enough to find love, remember it is there and don’t throw it away.”
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He is multi-awarded who made major contributions to the nature of the universe. And inspired a new generation of scientist and popularised science with his world famous book – A Brief History of Time.
This genius is also very genuine. Unlike many, including those not truly deserving, Stephen Hawking decline a knighthood when it was offered him. Hawking apparently dislike the whole concept of the Honour System. Additional to this, Hawking was frustrated with how the British Government’s funding on science, e.g. the merging of Particle Physics and Astronomy research. Merging these two bodies together is restricting and very limiting in the scope of scientific studies and observation.
Stephen Hawking should be Knighted by George Lucas Fantasy of the Star Wars of Imagination, for he is in the realm of the lightyears theory and aliens, for the human brain can only exist within 100 years of earthly life.
Queen’s honours: People who have turned them down named
The artist Lucien Freud turned down a CBE in 1977
Guide to the Honours
The author Roald Dahl and artist Lucien Freud are among those who have turned down honours from the Queen, according to official government records.
A list of those who declined an honour between 1951 and 1999, and who have since died, has been published for the first time.
Until now, the information was so secret it was not included in official papers released under the 30-year rule.
It has been made public following a BBC Freedom of Information request.
News of people refusing an OBE, CBE or knighthood in the annual New Year or Birthday Honours list normally only comes to light if they volunteer the information themselves or reports are leaked.
In total 277 people are named on the list including the painters Francis Bacon and LS Lowry, the sculptor Henry Moore and novelist Aldous Huxley.
It shows that Lowry turned down more honours than anybody else, with a total of five, including an OBE in 1955, a CBE in 1961 and a knighthood in 1968.
A number of Roald Dahl’s children’s books have been made into films
Bacon turned down a CBE in 1960, while Freud refused the honour in the 1977 New Year’s Honours list.
‘Preposterous charade’
Dahl, who rejected an OBE in 1986, was among a number of writers who snubbed the accolade including CS Lewis, who turned down a CBE in 1952.
Film director Sir Alfred Hitchcock turned down a CBE in 1962, but went on to accept a knighthood from the Queen four months before his death in 1980.
Others who said thanks but no thanks
Author Graham Greene turned down a CBE in 1956
Actor Trevor Howard, star of Brief Encounter, turned down a CBE in 1982
Actor Robert Morley accepted an OBE in 1957 but rejected a knighthood in 1975
Playwright JB Priestley said no to a life peerage in 1965 and a Companion of Honour invitation in 1969
Brideshead Revisited author Evelyn Waugh turned down a CBE in 1959
Poet Robert Graves rejected both a CBE in 1957 and an invitation to become a Companion of Honour in 1984
Philip Larkin, a winner of the Queen’s Gold Medal for Poetry, said no to an OBE in 1968
Labour prime minister Jim Callaghan’s wife Audrey refused an offer to be made a Dame in 1979
More on this ‘alternative honours list’
The Cabinet Office had been fighting the Freedom of Information request for more than a year but was ordered to release the information by the Information Commissioner’s Office.
In the past a number of famous people have rejected or returned honours bestowed upon them by the monarch.
Beatles legend John Lennon returned his MBE in 1969, with a note to the Queen saying: “Your Majesty, I am returning this in protest against Britain’s involvement in the Nigeria-Biafra thing, against our support of America in Vietnam and against Cold Turkey slipping down the charts.
“With Love, John Lennon of Bag.”
In 2007, co-founder of lingerie brand Agent Provocateur Joseph Corre also rejected the title, accusing Tony Blair of being “morally corrupt”.
Writer J G Ballard, who also rejected a CBE, is on record as saying he was opposed to the “preposterous charade” of the honours system.
Honours have sometimes been forfeited when a recipient was convicted of a criminal offence.
The film director Alfred Hitchcock turned down a CBE but accepted a knighthood from the Queen
That list includes Irish-born colonial officer Roger Casement, who was convicted of treason for aiding those involved in Ireland’s 1916 Easter Rising and executed.
The publication of the list comes as senior civil servants are due to decide whether ex-Royal Bank of Scotland boss Sir Fred Goodwin should be stripped of his knighthood.
The work of the Honours Forfeiture Committee is usually kept under wraps but David Cameron told MPs on Wednesday he expected it to sit in the coming days.
Political pressure has been mounting for the title awarded to Sir Fred in 2004 for “services to banking” to be withdrawn over his role in the subsequent collapse of RBS.
Stephen Hawking is more than the people who has been knighted.
Think Jeffrey Archer, Fred Goodwin!!!
He is better off not being classed like them!
You are right! Why is he not made a knight yet?!!! It does make you think!
HAPPY 70TH BIRTHDAY TO STEPHEN HAWKING!