Stephen Hawking, who sought to explain some of the most complicated questions of life while himself working under the shadow of a likely premature death, has died at 76.
The UK's Press Association reported his death, citing a spokesman for the family.
Hawking's formidable mind probed the very limits of human understanding both in the vastness of space and in the bizarre sub-molecular world of quantum theory, which he said could predict what happens at the beginning and end of time.
His work ranged from the origins of the universe itself, through the tantalising prospect of time travel to the mysteries of space's all-consuming black holes.
But the power of his intellect contrasted cruelly with the weakness of his body, ravaged by the wasting motor neurone disease he contracted at the age of 21.
Hawking was confined for most of his life to a wheelchair. As his condition worsened, he had to resort to speaking through a voice synthesiser and communicating by moving his eyebrows.
The disease spurred him to work harder but also contributed to the collapse of his two marriages, he wrote in a 2013 memoir "My Brief History."
In the book he related how he was first diagnosed: "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."
Hawking shot to international fame after the 1988 publication of "“A Brief History of Time", one of the most complex books ever to achieve mass appeal, which stayed on the Sunday Times best-sellers list for no fewer than 237 weeks.
He said he wrote the book to convey his own excitement over recent discoveries about the universe.
“"My original aim was to write a book that would sell on airport bookstalls," he told reporters at the time. "“In order to make sure it was understandable I tried the book out on my nurses. I think they understood most of it."
Reuters
Wed Mar 14 2018
The professor, popular for the breakthrough, 'Cosmology Theory' has died at the age of 76. - Filepic
Freedom Flotilla to Gaza: Penangguhan pelayaran taktik Israel gagalkan misi - FFC
Menurut Fauziah, tekanan demi tekanan akan terus diberikan bagi memastikan misi ini gagal sepenuhnya.
Freedom Flotilla to Gaza: Pelayaran sekali lagi ditangguh, Israel didakwa terus cetus kekacauan - FFC
Rejim Israel terus-menerus mahu menghalang pergerakan kapal-kapal terlibat dalam misi ini.
Taikun Vietnam dihukum penjara 8 tahun kerana tipu pelabur AS$40 juta
Tran Qui Thanh didapati bersalah menipu pelabur berhubung pinjaman yang dikeluarkan pada 2019 dan 2020.
Negara perlu beri pengajaran tegas, haramkan Bruce Gilley
Wisma Putra wajar menggesa kedutaan AS tampil memberi penjelasan dan memohon maaf kepada rakyat serta kerajaan Malaysia.
PRK KKB: MIPP jamin PN akan terima undi terbesar kaum India
Punithan berkata, pihak lawan dilihat mula menunjukkan kebimbangan dan rasa takut dengan kekuatan yang dimiliki PN ketika ini.
Akaun Fleksibel KWSP bantu penuhi keperluan kecemasan pencarum - Pakar
Ia merupakan antara alternatif KWSP untuk memenuhi keperluan dan dana kecemasan pencarum dalam mendepani cabaran menjalani kehidupan sebelum bersara.
Trend kenaikan harga emas di Malaysia mungkin berkekalan - Penganalisis
Trend kenaikan harga emas di Malaysia mungkin akan berterusan, didorong oleh gabungan pelbagai faktor ekonomi global dan gelagat pelabur.
Capital A akan jual 100 peratus kepentingan dalam AirAsia Aviation Group, AirAsia dengan harga RM6.8 bilion
Ia memeterai perjanjian jual beli saham bersyarat dengan AAG untuk menjual AAAGL bernilai RM3 bilion manakala AAB dengan harga RM3.8 bilion.
Jawatankuasa RTG pertimbang senaraikan Nurul Izzah dalam program Fast Track RTG
Hannah berkata segala keputusan mengenai program berkenaan akan dibincangkan dan diputuskan bersama jawatankuasa program.
KWSP: Mengimbangi mandat persaraan dan sokongan kelangsungan ekonomi ahli - Pakar
Mohd Afzanizam menegaskan bahawa KWSP bukan satu-satunya organisasi yang bertanggungjawab dari segi menambah baik kehidupan masyarakat.