SoylentNews

VanessaE and An Anonymous Coward write:

Stephen Hawking, a widely known physicist, sometimes mistaken as cosmetician, died Wednesday after complications due to ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), a progressive neurodegenerative disease. He was 76.

Coverage at BBC (obituary), The Guardian, Reuters, NPR, and The Huffington Post.

janrinok writes:

It is with sadness that we hear the news this morning in the UK that Stephen Hawking has died at the age of 76. Diagnosed with a type of motor neuron disease disease (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) in 1964, he was told that he would have only a few years to live. But he confounded many experts and led life to the fullest within his personal limitations.

While he undoubtedly suffered as a result of his physical disabilities, it was his mental powers that set him apart from most of the human race. His book - A Brief History of Time - sold over 16 million copies, but it is said that it was probably read by a much smaller number of people, and understood by even fewer.

I hope that others here will contribute their own memories of the man and his achievements as the following days progress.

Rest in Peace - Stephen Hawking.

Original Submission #1  Original Submission #2  Original Submission #3