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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 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. | |
"My love and thoughts are with his extraordinary family." | |
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". | 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." | 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." |
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." |
American astrophysicist Prof George Smoot, who knew and worked with Prof Hawking, described him as "very competitive". | American astrophysicist Prof George Smoot, who knew and worked with Prof Hawking, described him as "very competitive". |
He told Today: "Whenever I did something, he wanted to do it better. | He told Today: "Whenever I did something, he wanted to do it better. |
"The one thing he was jealous of was I got the Nobel Prize before he did." | "The one thing he was jealous of was I got the Nobel Prize before he did." |
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". |
"Even mere survival would have been a medical marvel, but of course he didn't just survive," he said. "He became one of the most famous scientists in the world." | "Even mere survival would have been a medical marvel, but of course he didn't just survive," he said. "He became one of the most famous scientists in the world." |
Prof Brian Cox, science presenter and professor of physics at the University of Manchester, described him as "one of the greats". | |
"There are physicists that in 1,000 years' time they will still be talking about Hawking radiation, they will be using his fundamental results on black holes. | |
"There are at least three areas where his work will be remembered as long as there are cosmologists and that is the best you can hope for as a scientist." | |
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". | |
He added: "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." | |
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". |
He added: "His personality and genius will be sorely missed. My thoughts are with his family." | He added: "His personality and genius will be sorely missed. My thoughts are with his family." |
Defence Minister Tobias Ellwood said Prof Hawking was "an inspiration to us all, whatever our station in life, to reach for the stars". | Defence Minister Tobias Ellwood said Prof Hawking was "an inspiration to us all, whatever our station in life, to reach for the stars". |
He tweeted: "RIP Sir. You epitomised true courage over adversity as you explained the wonders of the universe to the world. Your achievements symbolise the pwr (sic) of the human mind." | He tweeted: "RIP Sir. You epitomised true courage over adversity as you explained the wonders of the universe to the world. Your achievements symbolise the pwr (sic) of the human mind." |
Local government minister Sajid Javid said: "One of most inspirational people throughout my life. A brief history on earth, an eternity in the stars." | Local government minister Sajid Javid said: "One of most inspirational people throughout my life. A brief history on earth, an eternity in the stars." |
Labour's Chuka Umunna tweeted: "What a wonderful and extraordinary man. A huge loss for the world, not just our country. Thinking of his family today." | Labour's Chuka Umunna tweeted: "What a wonderful and extraordinary man. A huge loss for the world, not just our country. Thinking of his family today." |
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," |
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. | 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 |