The physicist is standing down from the prestigious academic title of Lucasian Professor of Mathematics at Cambridge University. Previous holders of the position include Sir Isaac Newton and Charles Babbage.

The professor - who has motor neurone disease - sent Newsnight this audio essay.

Images courtesy Nasa, PA, AFP, AP and Getty Images. Music courtesy KPM Music.
Slideshow production by Paul Kerley. Publication date 30 September 2009.

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