Hawking steps down as Lucasian professor

[Smooth Criminal]

LONDON — Physicist Stephen Hawking stepped down Wednesday as Lucasian Professor of Mathematics at Cambridge University after 30 years in the post.

The roughly 350-year-old position has been held by such luminaries as Isaac Newton and Charles Babbage, one of the fathers of modern computing. It is customary for professors to retire from the post the year they turn 67. Hawking, who reached that age in January, will continue to work at the university as director of research at a department dealing with applied mathematics and theoretical physics.

"This is an exciting time in cosmology with new observational results coming in thick and fast and large-scale terrestrial and satellite experiments under way," Hawking said in a statement. "I want to make sure this progress is matched by the development of theories of the Universe which are both mathematically consistent and observationally testable."

Hawking is famous for his research on black holes and his popular works in theoretical physics, including the book "A Brief History of Time: From the Big Bang to Black Holes."

The university has advertised for a new Lucasian Professor and a replacement will be announced shortly.

The first thing I noticed was the priceless title!

In all seriousness, I wonder who will eventually fill the post.

 

[BinaryJack]

I could be really cruel and ask:
"step down"?

 

[Smooth Criminal]

I could be really cruel and ask:
"step down"?

Yeah that's the one

 

[Geriatrix]

They see him roll'in, they hate'in...

 

[wrathex]

Fan of The Man

He is The Man in my books, for telling me about the quantum universe.

Good that he has, well 'stepped down' hehe, now he will have more time.

 

[BigAl-sa]

I could be really cruel and ask:
"step down"?

never been impressed by him as a 'scientist'

 

[Drake2007]

In all seriousness, I wonder who will eventually fill the post.

Michael Green will become Cambridge University's 18th Lucasian Professor of Mathematics

"Michael Green has played a leading role in theoretical physics in the Department since 1993. He is internationally known as a pioneer in string theory which over the last 20 years has become one of the most important and active areas of the field," said Peter Haynes, head of the department of applied mathematics and theoretical physics in a statement.

"In the Department he continues to make important advances in this topic and at the same time to support and inspire young researchers," he continued. "His appointment as Lucasian Professor continues the very distinguished tradition of that post."

Green will take up the Lucasian Professorship at the beginning of November. ®

 

[Palimino]

.

...Charles Babbage, one of the fathers of modern computing.

I suppose the daughter of Lord Byron – Lovelace (I can’t remember her first name), is the mother? She worked a lot with Babbage and I have heard that she may have been the 1st software engineer.

 

[Palimino]

I suppose the daughter of Lord Byron – Lovelace (I can’t remember her first name), is the mother?

Ada Lovelace (it’s just come to me). I think the Lovelace bit was part of her title. She would have been born a Byron.

 

[chutzpah44]

Here is the full list

What I notice is how long they live , unless the post is sometimes not filled

List of Lucasian Professors 1664 Isaac Barrow
1669 Isaac Newton
1702 William Whiston
1711 Nicholas Saunderson
1739 John Colson
1760 Edward Waring
1798 Isaac Milner
1820 Robert Woodhouse
1822 Thomas Turton
1826 George Biddell Airy
1828 Charles Babbage
1839 Joshua King
1849 George Gabriel Stokes
1903 Joseph Larmor
1932 Paul Dirac
1969 James Lighthill
1979 Stephen Hawking
2009 Michael Green