Hawking Steps Down as Lucasian Professor

October 5, 2009

After 30 years, Stephen Hawking has retired from his position as Lucasian Professor of Mathematics at Cambridge University. Luminaries who have held the slot include Isaac Newton and Charles Babbage.

It is Cambridge custom for professors to retire from the post after 30 years or the year they turn 67, and Hawking will turn 67 in January. He will continue to work at Cambridge 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. He stressed the need "to make sure this progress is matched by the development of theories of the universe which are both mathematically consistent and observationally testable."

The name of the new Lucasian Professor will be announced soon, according to Cambridge University.

Source: Telegraph, Oct. 1, 2009; Associated Press, Oct. 1, 2009.