![Brilliant scientist and physicist Stephen Hawking dead at 76 [Image: CBC News/YouTube screenshot]](https://staticr1.blastingcdn.com/media/photogallery/2018/3/14/660x290/b_502x220x82/brilliant-scientist-and-physicist-stephen-hawking-dead-at-76-image-cbc-newsyoutube-screenshot_1885501.jpg "Brilliant scientist and physicist Stephen Hawking dead at 76 [Image: CBC News/YouTube screenshot]")
There are so many positive things to say about Stephen Hawking especially in reference to science. He died on Wednesday, March 14 on National Pi Day at the age of 76 in his Cambridge, England home. That was very interesting for a man who dedicated his life to science, physics, and mathematics. The brilliant British theoretical physicist overcame a debilitating disease to publish many popular books about the mysteries of the universe.
The man with a brilliant mind authored his most famous book that pushed him to stardom. "A Brief History of Time" was published in 1988.
It sold over 10 million copies and was translated into over 40 languages. It stayed on the British Sunday Times best-seller list for 237 consecutive weeks and is listed in the Guinness World Records.
Some reactions
Hawking was well known all over the world. Since the announcement of his death, tributes have been pouring in with kind words. He has been called "the brightest star in the firmament of science," among other descriptions. Everyone recognized Hawking's brilliance. His children referred to him as a great Scientist and an extraordinary man.
People who knew Hawking also knew that he had a great sense of humor. That, combined with his intellect, made him a very interesting person to listen to.
The illness
Hawking outlived his doctors' predictions. He was diagnosed with motor neuron disease in 1963 when he was only 21 years old. His doctors expected that he would live only two more years since his illness was terminal. The rare disease is also known as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and Lou Gehrig's disease that slowly paralyzed him over the years, but that did not stop him from working on his projects.
After he could no longer speak, Hawking communicated through a speech-generating device. The scientist lived 55 years longer than his doctors initially predicted. He used those years wisely and accomplished a lot, and left his mark on the world.
“Remember to look up at the stars and not down at your feet. Try to make sense of what you see and wonder about what makes the universe exist. Be curious. And however difficult life may seem, there is always something you can do and succeed at.” https://t.co/r1BK2GfMLK
— The New York Times (@nytimes) March 14, 2018
Profound quotes
Hawking had a way with words, and he often made statements that caught the attention of his listeners.
He spoke about his own death, God, and heaven. He was an atheist and believed that the universe is governed by the laws of science. He once said he was not afraid of death, but he was not in a hurry to die because he had so much he wanted to do first.
Stephen Hawking was an atheist. Here’s what he said about God, heaven and his own death https://t.co/maNHg1lq9W
— TIME (@TIME) March 14, 2018
The scientist once said that his goal was simple. He wanted a complete understanding of the universe. He used his life to study what the universe is and why it exists.
