Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) Badge

Made:
1982 in Birmingham
commissioner:
The Cabinet Office
maker:
Thomas Fattorini Limited
Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) Badge Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) Badge Group image of E2021.0126.47 The White House Millennium Council brooch, 2000, 5cm. high, E2021.0126.45 The Papal Medal

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Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) Badge
Stephen Hawking Estate/Science Museum Group
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) Badge
Stephen Hawking Estate/Science Museum Group
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Group image of E2021.0126.47 The White House Millennium Council brooch, 2000, 5cm. high, E2021.0126.45 The Papal Medal
Science Museum Group
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Badge (medal) of Commander of The Order of The British Empire (CBE.), 1982, made by Thomas Fattorini Limited, in Birmingham. Shaped as a cross with a round gold centre and blue, roughly crown-shaped arms. The top arm connects to a crown to which the red ribbon attaches.

The CBE medal was awarded to Stephen Hawking "for services to astronomical research."

Hawking’s daughter, Lucy, remembers a letter from Buckingham Palace arriving at the family home one morning with news of an unexpected award for her father. Hawking joked that he had gone from being an anti-establishment figure to being a pillar of the establishment. He was keenly aware of the power of such high-profile awards to improve the visibility and recognition of disabled people.

Details

Category:
Stephen Hawking Office
Collection:
Stephen Hawking’s Office
Object Number:
2021-561/16/1
Materials:
enamel and metal (unknown)
Measurements:
overall (estimate): 103 mm x 65 mm x 20 mm,
type:
medal
taxonomy:
  • visual and verbal communication
credit:
Accepted in lieu of Inheritance Tax by H M Government from the Estate of Stephen Hawking and allocated to the Science Museum, 2021