Last Wednesday the world lost one of its brightest stars. Stephen Hawking, the well known theoretical physicist, passed away peacefully early March 14th in his home in Cambridge, England.

Many consider Hawkings to be one of the greatest scientist in modern history. Hawking was diagnosed with ALS at age 21 and not expected to live past 23. He beat the odds and lived until age 76. The disease caused him to be paralyzed and dependant on a wheelchair. Stephen used a speech synthesizer computer program to allow him to communicate with others. However, he did not let this slow him down.  

“I try to lead as normal a life as possible, and not think about my condition, or regret the things it prevents me from doing, which are not that many,” said Hawkings on his website.

Hawking was well known for bringing his ideas about quantum gravity and black holes to the public. He spent 30 years as a full time mathematics professor at University of Cambridge and was the director of research at the school’s Center for Theoretical Cosmology. He is the author of A Brief History of Time which was an international bestseller. He had about 12 honorary degrees and won many prestigious awards over his lifetime like the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2009, and the Copley Medal.

The scientist’s ashes will be located near the graves of Sir Isaac Newton and Charles Darwin in London’s Westminster Abbey. There will be a service later in the year to honor Stephen Hawking and all of his terrific accomplishments. His courage and brilliance inspired many people all over the world and his legacy will never be forgotten.