Physicist Stephen Hawking dies aged 76

Stephen Hawking pictured at the 2010 World Science Festival Opening Night Gala at Alice Tully Hall, Lincoln Center in New York City on June 2nd, 2010 ©RTRoe / MediaPunch/IPX

The British physicist Stephen Hawking has died after complications due to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, a progressive neurodegenerative disease at the age of 76, a spokesman for his family has said.

In a statement his children said: “He was a great scientist… whose work and legacy will live on for many years.

“We have this one life to appreciate the grand design of the universe, and for that, I am extremely grateful.” Hawking once remarked.

Hawking was known for his ground-breaking work with black holes and relativity, and he has also written several popular science books including A Brief History of Time.