Originally posted: 12:05 a.m., Wednesday, March 14, 2018
One of the most brilliant minds of our time has passed away. Stephen Hawking died early Wednesday morning after 76 years living an incredible life.
- Stephen Hawking was diagnosed with ALS in his 20s
- Hawking stunned doctors by living over 50 years
Hawking was known in the science world for his revolutionary theoretical work on black holes and cosmology and to the rest of the world an inspiration in so many areas.
The best-known theoretical physicist of his time, Hawking wrote so lucidly of the mysteries of space, time and black holes that his book, "A Brief History of Time,'' became an international bestseller, making him one of science's biggest celebrities since Albert Einstein.
He was born on Jan. 8, 1942, which happens to be 300 years to the day after astronomer and physicist Galileo died.
When he was 21 years old, Hawking was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, ALS, but he stunned doctors by living with the normally fatal illness for more than 50 years and communicated through an electronic voice synthesizer that he controlled with his face muscles.
The dedications people are putting out for him online seem as endless as the universe.
Remembering Stephen Hawking, a renowned physicist and ambassador of science. His theories unlocked a universe of possibilities that we & the world are exploring. May you keep flying like superman in microgravity, as you said to astronauts on @Space_Station in 2014 pic.twitter.com/FeR4fd2zZ5
— NASA (@NASA) March 14, 2018
His passing has left an intellectual vacuum in his wake. But it's not empty. Think of it as a kind of vacuum energy permeating the fabric of spacetime that defies measure. Stephen Hawking, RIP 1942-2018. pic.twitter.com/nAanMySqkt
— Neil deGrasse Tyson (@neiltyson) March 14, 2018
A star just went out in the cosmos. We have lost an amazing human being. Stephen Hawking fought and tamed the cosmos bravely for 76 years and taught us all something importantabout what it truly means to celebrate about being human. I will miss him.
— Lawrence M. Krauss (@LKrauss1) March 14, 2018
His three children Lucy, Robert, and Tim released a statement.
"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 humor inspired people across the world."
Hawking was not just known as a man of science, but also a man of philosophy.
RIP Stephen Hawking pic.twitter.com/g52mYZqxPN
— John Haltiwanger (@jchaltiwanger) March 14, 2018
The Associated Press contributed to this story.