Stephen as a child
Stephen Hawking was born on 8 January 1942 to Frank Hawking, a research biologist, and Isobel Hawking. He has two younger sisters, Mary and Philippa , and has an adopted brother, Edward. Hawking's parents were living in North London, but moved to Oxford before his birth, while London was under attack during the Second World War. In 1950, when his father became head of the division of parasitology at the National Institute for Medical Research, Hawking and his family moved to St Albans, Hertfordshire. Hawking attended St Albans High School for Girls from 1950 to 195. At that time, boys could attend the girls' school until the age of 10. From the age of 11, he attended St Albans School, where he was an average, but not exceptional student. He maintains his connection with the school, giving his name to one of the four houses and to an extracurricular science lecture series.