Coxing blazer worn by Stephen Hawking when thrown into river

Oxford Coxing blazer, water stained, with University College Oxford badge and mss note taped to hangar. Hawking wore this blazer as an undergraduate, and was wearing it when he was thrown into the river.

While the majority of items in Stephen Hawking's office relate to his professional career as a physicist, a communicator, and a political activist, there are also a variety of items that relate to personal aspects of his life and upbringing, such as his tastes, passions, and fondest memories independent of his work as a physicist. Most of these aspects are well known by the public and have even become part of his personal 'brand'.

Hawking took up rowing in the 1960s during his undergraduate studies at Oxford University, and served as a coxswain for University College at an inter-college competition level. According to some he had a reputation as a 'daredevil' in control of a boat, which often led to damaged boats and oars for his team. The manuscript note accompanying this jacket reads: "SWH: I was thrown into the river in that blazer to celebrate making the bumps. JLY: So you don't want me to dry clean it? SWH: No!"