The Incredibly Complex Life Of Stephen Hawking

The 1980s

Photo Credits: Bryan Bedder/Getty Images for Breakthrough Prize Foundation

The 1980s proved to be an especially exciting time for Stephen Hawking. In 1981 he was awarded the American Franklin Medal and was appointed as a Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1982. Although his work was being recognized and he had become well-known, it didn’t greatly affect his income.

So, in order to support his family and put his kids through school, he decided to write a book about the universe that would be comprehensible and accessible to the public. Instead of publishing with an academic press, he went with Bantam Books where he earned a large advance for his novel. The first draft of A Brief History of Time was completed in 1984.

See how A Brief History of Time changed the way the world looks at the universe.