Prof. Stephen Hawking dies at the age of 76

TIL Desk/World/Cambridge/ Stephen Hawking, the legendary British theoretical physicist who explored the mysteries of the universe from his wheelchair and went on to become an inspiring figure globally, died at his home in Cambridge.

His family said that Professor Hawking, 76, died peacefully in his home near Cambridge University, where he did much of his ground-breaking work on black holes and relativity. Hawking’s children, Lucy, Robert and Tim said in a statement: ‘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. His courage and persistence with his brilliance and humour inspired people across the world. Professor Hawking was born in Oxford, England, on January 8.

He suffered from ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), a neurodegenerative disease commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease, which is usually fatal within a few years. He was diagnosed in 1963, when he was 21, and doctors initially only gave him a few years to live. But he went on to study at Cambridge and became one of the most brilliant theoretical physicists since Albert Einstein.