Tributes to maths giant

A FORMER maths teacher at St Albans School who was reputed to have been the inspiration for Stephen Hawking, the famous theoretical physicist and author of A Brief History of Time, died recently aged 78.
Dick Tahta, who was born in Manchester, taught at St Albans School for six years between 1956 and 1962.In a national advertising campaign to attract recruits to science, Stephen Hawking was among famous people asked to name one teacher who had inspired them. "Mr Tahta", was Hawking's response.During his time at the school he met and married his wife Hilary, who died in 2000. He later lectured at Exeter University and taught in America and South Africa. He also wrote and co-authored several text books. Mr Tahta is survived by three daughters and a son.