LONDON | The British astrophysicist Stephen Hawking, who became a celebrity for his work on the universe he was scrutinizing from his wheelchair, died Wednesday at the age of 76 in Cambridge, earning unanimous homage throughout the world.
A recognized researcher particularly for his discoveries on black holes, he became an icon after the publication, in 1988, of "A brief history of time", a book of popular science.
He died peacefully in the early hours of Wednesday at his home in Cambridge, north of London. "We are deeply saddened by the death of our beloved father today," said her children, Lucy, Robert, and Tim, in a statement. "He was a great scientist and an extraordinary man whose work and legacy will live for many years to come," they wrote.
In Cambridge, a flag was lowered at half mast on the University building where he taught for more than fifty years and where he had an office. A book of condolences was opened in the chapel.
"It was funny to work with him. He had a great sense of humor. For his students sent to the board, it was sometimes a bit scary, "recalls AFP Justin Hayward, one of his doctoral students in the 90s, who came with his wife to sign the book of condolences. "He has been instrumental in developing our understanding of the results of general relativity. It was an inspiration, "he says.
Stephen Hawking had challenged the predictions that he had only a few years to live after developing a crippling neurodegenerative disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) or Charcot's disease, diagnosed in 1964.
Better world
The disease had progressively deprived him of his mobility and confined to a wheelchair, almost completely paralyzed and unable to speak except through his iconic voice synthesizer.
British Prime Minister Theresa May praised Twitter as "a brilliant and extraordinary spirit, one of the greatest scientists of her generation".
European Council President Donald Tusk paid tribute to his resilience by tweeting: "It is important never to let go. In memory of Stephen Hawking.
And Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi stressed that he "made the world better".
The scientific community also expressed its sadness: "Professor Hawking was a unique being, who will be fondly remembered not only in Cambridge, but around the world," said Stephen Toope, vice-president of the University. "His outstanding contribution to scientific knowledge, mathematics and extension leaves an indelible contribution."
On Twitter, NASA hailed "a renowned physicist and a science ambassador". "His discoveries have opened up a world of possibilities that we and the world continue to explore," said the US Space Agency.
American astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson also praised his memory. "His death leaves an intellectual vacuum. But it is not emptiness, rather see it as a kind of energy impregnating space-time, which challenges the measure, "he wrote.
Personalities as diverse as American pop star Katy Perry and British actor Eddie Redmayne joined the tribute, demonstrating how well Hawkings has touched hearts and minds far beyond the scientific community, becoming the world's best one of the most renowned scientists in the world, sometimes compared to Albert Einstein or Isaac Newton.
A giant of science
His work focused on bringing the theories of relativity and quantas closer together to try to explain the creation of the Universe and how it works.
In 1974, at the age of 32, he became one of the youngest members of the Royal Society, the most prestigious scientific institution in Britain.
In 1979, Hawking was appointed professor of mathematics - a position held by Newton - at the University of Cambridge, for which he had left Oxford University to study theoretical astronomy and cosmology.
In this body distorted by the disease resided an extremely brilliant mind, fascinated by the essence of the Universe, by its process of formation and by the manner in which it could end.
"My goal is simple," he said one day. "It's the total understanding of the Universe", "to understand why he is as he is and why he exists".