Stephen Hawking may be the most prominent theoretical physicist in the world, but even he can't avoid the course of nature. With time finally catching up, Hawking will be forced to step down from his post as as Lucasian professor of mathematics at Britain

Next year, the 66-year-old physicist will have to give up this prominent position, which was once held by Isaac Newton. Under Cambridge University policy, all holders of the post have to retire at the end of the school year in which he turns 67. And, for Hawking, the academic year of 2008/2009 will be the last one.

However, a university spokesman pointed out that Hawking had no intention to leave Cambridge University in the near future. He will continue his work as Emeritus Lucasian Professor at the university, an honorary title.

The post of Lucasian professor of mathematics was founded in 1663 by Henry Lucas, the MP for Cambridge University at the time, who left his 4,000 books and land, expected to yield 100 pounds a year, to the university. Hawking was the 17th person to hold the position since it was founded, stepping up in 1979.

Despite being almost fully immobilised by motor neuron disease, the astrophysicist became an international celebrity in 1988 when his book, “A Brief History of Time,” became a best-seller. Hawking's work revolves around the issues of gravity, black holes and the origins of the universe. He is a long-established world expert on these issues.

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