A globally recognised and highly acclaimed physicist has died aged 76.
Stephen Hawking died at his Cambridge home earlier this morning his family have stated, feeling “deeply saddened” at his loss.
As well as being known for his best selling books including ‘A Brief History of Time’, Stephen was famed for his passion for science and bringing life to subjects such as relativity, time and space.
Professor Hawking was given just several years to live when he was diagnosed with motor neurone disease aged just 22.
His illness affected him significantly, and Stephen became reliant on a wheelchair to get around as well as having to use a voice synthesiser to communicate. However, it did not diminish his dedication to science and desire to share his theories with the rest of the world.
His life has been depicted on both the small and big screen, most recently by Eddie Redmayne in the critically acclaimed ‘The Theory of Everything’.
Since the announcement of his death, a number of fellow scientists and well-known figures have paid tribute to the physicist, highlighting the lasting impact he had on both education and attitudes towards science.
As well as describing the Hawking as “one of the greats”, Professor Brian Cox said: “His work elevated us to the extra-ordinary; his life pushed down a terrible, limiting disease so that he could enjoy the full joy of the ordinary. In both, he was a triumph of what we, as humans, can achieve.”
The British Astronaut Time Peake stated that the Professor “inspired generations to look beyond our own blue planet and expand our understanding of the universe”, whilst Prime Minister Theresa May stated that “his legacy will not be forgotten”.
