A tribute to Peter Higgs: “Travels with Peter”

This chapter offers a personal tribute to Peter Higgs, tracing his life, career, and the remarkable journey surrounding the discovery of the Higgs boson. From his early academic work in Edinburgh to the media frenzy of “Higgsteria,” the narrative blends historical milestones with humorous and poignant anecdotes. It recounts Higgs’ modest character, his aversion to publicity and technology, and his transformation into a reluctant icon of particle physics. Particular focus is given to his visits to CERN, culminating in the landmark seminar of 4 July 2012, and the events leading to his Nobel Prize in 2013. The account provides a personal perspective on Higgs’ role in one of the defining chapters of modern particle physics.