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Stephen Hawking dies aged 76 | Stephen Hawking 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 Briton was known for his work with black holes and relativity, and wrote several popular science books including A Brief History of Time. | The Briton was known 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." |
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. |
Factfile: Stephen Hawking | Factfile: Stephen Hawking |
Tim Berners-Lee, inventor of the web, was one of the first people to pay tribute to Prof Hawking. | Tim Berners-Lee, inventor of the web, was one of the first people to pay tribute to Prof Hawking. |
"We have lost a colossal mind and a wonderful spirit. Rest in peace, Stephen Hawking," he 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". | |
He added: "His exceptional contributions to scientific knowledge and the popularisation of science and mathematics have left an indelible legacy. His character was an inspiration to millions." | |
Apple's co-founder Steve Wozniak said: "Stephen Hawking's integrity and scientific dedication placed him above pure brilliance," | |
Satya Nadella, Microsoft chief executive, said: "We lost a great one today. Stephen Hawking will be remembered for his incredible contributions to science - making complex theories and concepts more accessible to the masses. | Satya Nadella, Microsoft chief executive, said: "We lost a great one today. Stephen Hawking will be remembered for his incredible contributions to science - making complex theories and concepts more accessible to the masses. |
"He'll also be remembered for his spirit and unbounded pursuit to gain a complete understanding of the universe, despite the obstacles he faced." | "He'll also be remembered for his spirit and unbounded pursuit to gain a complete understanding of the universe, despite the obstacles he faced." |
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. | |
"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." |