Renowned Scientist Stephen Hawking Dies

The British press is reporting that Stephen Hawking has died.

“Stephen Hawking, the brightest star in the firmament of science, whose insights shaped modern cosmology and inspired global audiences in the millions, has died aged 76.  His family released a statement in the early hours of Wednesday morning confirming his death. Hawking’s children, Lucy, Robert and Tim said in a statement: “We are deeply saddened that our beloved father passed away today.”

The astrophysicist was widely-quoted in popular culture,  but suffered from a childhood onset of ALS (Aterial Lateral Sclerosis), a disease that affects physical motor skills.