Stephen Hawking Now Expected to Recover

Cambridge University said in the brief statement:

"He is comfortable and his family is looking forward to him making a full recovery."

Stephen Hawking was born on January 8, 1942 and was diagnosed at the age 21 with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease). Hawking communicates through an electronic voice synthesizer activated by his fingers.

He is a renowned theoretical physicist, mathematician, and author of the best-seller "A Brief History of Time," and was hospitalized at Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge.

Stephen Hawking announced last year that he would step down from his post as Lucasian Professor of Mathematics this year. Most holders of this post retire at the age of 67. However, Cambridge University said Monday that he intended to continue working as Emeritus Lucasian Professor of Mathematics.

Hawking had previously canceled an appearance at Arizona State University on April 6th due to this same illness.