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Stephen Hawking: Visionary physicist dies aged 76 | Stephen Hawking: Visionary physicist dies aged 76 |
(35 minutes later) | |
World renowned physicist Stephen Hawking has died at the age of 76. | World renowned physicist Stephen Hawking has died at the age of 76. |
He died peacefully at his home in Cambridge in the early hours of Wednesday, his family said. | He died peacefully at his home in Cambridge in the early hours of Wednesday, his family said. |
The British scientist was famed for his work with black holes and relativity, and wrote several popular science books including A Brief History of Time. | The British scientist was famed for his work with black holes and relativity, and wrote several popular science books including A Brief History of Time. |
At the age of 22 Prof Hawking was given only a few years to live after being diagnosed with a rare form of motor neurone disease. | At the age of 22 Prof Hawking was given only a few years to live after being diagnosed with a rare form of motor neurone disease. |
The illness left him in a wheelchair and largely unable to speak except through a voice synthesiser. | The illness left him in a wheelchair and largely unable to speak except through a voice synthesiser. |
In a statement his children, Lucy, Robert and Tim, said: "We are deeply saddened that our beloved father passed away today. | In a statement his children, Lucy, Robert and Tim, said: "We are deeply saddened that our beloved father passed away today. |
"He was a great scientist and an extraordinary man whose work and legacy will live on for many years." | "He was a great scientist and an extraordinary man whose work and legacy will live on for many years." |
They praised his "courage and persistence" and said his "brilliance and humour" inspired people across the world. | They praised his "courage and persistence" and said his "brilliance and humour" inspired people across the world. |
"He once said, 'It would not be much of a universe if it wasn't home to the people you love.' We will miss him forever." | "He once said, 'It would not be much of a universe if it wasn't home to the people you love.' We will miss him forever." |
A book of condolence is due to be opened at Gonville and Caius College in Cambridge, where Prof Hawking was a fellow. | A book of condolence is due to be opened at Gonville and Caius College in Cambridge, where Prof Hawking was a fellow. |
Prof Hawking was the first to set out a theory of cosmology as a union of relativity and quantum mechanics. | Prof Hawking was the first to set out a theory of cosmology as a union of relativity and quantum mechanics. |
He also discovered that black holes leak energy and fade to nothing - a phenomenon that would later become known as Hawking radiation. | He also discovered that black holes leak energy and fade to nothing - a phenomenon that would later become known as Hawking radiation. |
Through his work with mathematician Sir Roger Penrose he demonstrated that Einstein's general theory of relativity implies space and time would have a beginning in the Big Bang and an end in black holes. | Through his work with mathematician Sir Roger Penrose he demonstrated that Einstein's general theory of relativity implies space and time would have a beginning in the Big Bang and an end in black holes. |
The scientist gained popularity outside the academic world and appeared in several TV shows including The Simpsons, Red Dwarf and The Big Bang Theory. | The scientist gained popularity outside the academic world and appeared in several TV shows including The Simpsons, Red Dwarf and The Big Bang Theory. |
He was portrayed in both TV and film - recently by Oscar winner Eddie Redmayne in The Theory of Everything, which charted his rise to fame and relationship with his first wife, Jane. | He was portrayed in both TV and film - recently by Oscar winner Eddie Redmayne in The Theory of Everything, which charted his rise to fame and relationship with his first wife, Jane. |
The actor paid tribute to him, saying: "We have lost a truly beautiful mind, an astonishing scientist and the funniest man I have ever had the pleasure to meet." | The actor paid tribute to him, saying: "We have lost a truly beautiful mind, an astonishing scientist and the funniest man I have ever had the pleasure to meet." |
Benedict Cumberbatch, who played Prof Hawking in a BBC drama, said he was "a true inspiration for me and for millions around the world". | Benedict Cumberbatch, who played Prof Hawking in a BBC drama, said he was "a true inspiration for me and for millions around the world". |
His most famous book - A Brief History of Time - has now shot to the top of the Amazon Best Sellers list. | |
The Motor Neurone Disease Association, of which Prof Hawking had been a patron since 2008, reported that its website had crashed because of an influx of donations to the charity. | The Motor Neurone Disease Association, of which Prof Hawking had been a patron since 2008, reported that its website had crashed because of an influx of donations to the charity. |
Factfile: Stephen Hawking | Factfile: Stephen Hawking |
Tributes have poured in for Prof Hawking since the announcement of his death. | Tributes have poured in for Prof Hawking since the announcement of his death. |
Prof Lord Martin Rees, the Astronomer Royal, who was at university with Prof Hawking when he was diagnosed, said his friend had "amazing willpower and determination". | Prof Lord Martin Rees, the Astronomer Royal, who was at university with Prof Hawking when he was diagnosed, said his friend had "amazing willpower and determination". |
Prime Minister Theresa May called him a "brilliant and extraordinary mind" and "one of the great scientists of his generation". | Prime Minister Theresa May called him a "brilliant and extraordinary mind" and "one of the great scientists of his generation". |
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn praised the scientist for his "determination to explain the mysteries of the cosmos" and his "burning passion to protect our National Health Service." | Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn praised the scientist for his "determination to explain the mysteries of the cosmos" and his "burning passion to protect our National Health Service." |
Sir Tim Berners-Lee, inventor of the web, said: "We have lost a colossal mind and a wonderful spirit. Rest in peace, Stephen Hawking," he said. | Sir Tim Berners-Lee, inventor of the web, said: "We have lost a colossal mind and a wonderful spirit. Rest in peace, Stephen Hawking," he said. |
The vice chancellor of the University of Cambridge - where Prof Hawking had studied and worked - Professor Stephen Toope, said he was a "unique individual" who would be remembered with "warmth and affection". | The vice chancellor of the University of Cambridge - where Prof Hawking had studied and worked - Professor Stephen Toope, said he was a "unique individual" who would be remembered with "warmth and affection". |
Prof James Hartle, who worked with him to create the Hartle-Hawking wavefunction to explain the Big Bang, said Prof Hawking had a "unique" ability to "see through all the clutter in physics" and get to the point. | Prof James Hartle, who worked with him to create the Hartle-Hawking wavefunction to explain the Big Bang, said Prof Hawking had a "unique" ability to "see through all the clutter in physics" and get to the point. |
He told BBC Radio Four's Today programme: "My memory of him would be… first our work together as scientists and, second, as a human being whose whole story is a triumph over adversity [and] who inspired a lot of people, including me." | He told BBC Radio Four's Today programme: "My memory of him would be… first our work together as scientists and, second, as a human being whose whole story is a triumph over adversity [and] who inspired a lot of people, including me." |
The comedian and presenter of the BBC's Stargazing Live Dara O'Briain said the scientist had an "immeasurable life" and "one of the few people I would call a hero of mine". | The comedian and presenter of the BBC's Stargazing Live Dara O'Briain said the scientist had an "immeasurable life" and "one of the few people I would call a hero of mine". |
Theoretical physicist, professor Jim Al-Khalili, from Surrey University said Prof Hawking had a tremendous sense of humour. | Theoretical physicist, professor Jim Al-Khalili, from Surrey University said Prof Hawking had a tremendous sense of humour. |
He told BBC Radio Surrey: "He was a fun loving guy. Inside that shell, inside that body that was paralysed, was someone who was full of vigour, full of passion for life." | He told BBC Radio Surrey: "He was a fun loving guy. Inside that shell, inside that body that was paralysed, was someone who was full of vigour, full of passion for life." |
Hawking's discoveries | Hawking's discoveries |
British astronaut Tim Peake said Prof Hawking "inspired generations to look beyond our own blue planet and expand our understanding of the universe". | British astronaut Tim Peake said Prof Hawking "inspired generations to look beyond our own blue planet and expand our understanding of the universe". |
Gian Giudice, head of theoretical physics at the European nuclear research laboratory CERN, said Prof Hawking had a "great impact" on the centre's research, adding: "A giant of our field has left us, but his immortal contributions will remain forever." | Gian Giudice, head of theoretical physics at the European nuclear research laboratory CERN, said Prof Hawking had a "great impact" on the centre's research, adding: "A giant of our field has left us, but his immortal contributions will remain forever." |
Apple's co-founder Steve Wozniak said: "Stephen Hawking's integrity and scientific dedication placed him above pure brilliance," | Apple's co-founder Steve Wozniak said: "Stephen Hawking's integrity and scientific dedication placed him above pure brilliance," |
In his 2013 memoir he described how he felt when first diagnosed with motor neurone disease. | In his 2013 memoir he described how he felt when first diagnosed with motor neurone disease. |
"I felt it was very unfair - why should this happen to me," he wrote. | "I felt it was very unfair - why should this happen to me," he wrote. |
"At the time, I thought my life was over and that I would never realise the potential I felt I had. But now, 50 years later, I can be quietly satisfied with my life." | "At the time, I thought my life was over and that I would never realise the potential I felt I had. But now, 50 years later, I can be quietly satisfied with my life." |
Speaking to the BBC in 2002, his mother, Isobelle, described him as a "very normal young man". | Speaking to the BBC in 2002, his mother, Isobelle, described him as a "very normal young man". |
She said: "He liked parties. He liked pretty girls - only pretty ones. He liked adventure and he did, to some extent, like work." | She said: "He liked parties. He liked pretty girls - only pretty ones. He liked adventure and he did, to some extent, like work." |
Did you ever meet Stephen Hawking? Share your memories of him by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. | Did you ever meet Stephen Hawking? Share your memories of him by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. |
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: | Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: |
Or use the form below | Or use the form below |