Mourners Pay Tribute to Stephen Hawking, Who Died at 76

March 14, 2018 1:14 AM EDT

Famed theoretical physicist and author of ‘A Brief History of Time’ Professor Stephen Hawking died in Cambridge, England Wednesday. He was 76.

A legend of modern cosmology and a global inspiration, fans from every field paid tribute to the scientist who didn’t let paralysis stop him from exploring the biggest questions about the origins of the universe.

From Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield to Google CEO Sundar Punchai and admirers from all around the world expressed their condolences.

Genius is so fine and rare. Goodbye Professor Hawking. You inspired and taught us all. pic.twitter.com/9Drdnv2eEe
— Chris Hadfield (@Cmdr_Hadfield) March 14, 2018

The world has lost a beautiful mind and a brilliant scientist. RIP Stephen Hawking
— Sundar Pichai (@sundarpichai) March 14, 2018

R.I.P. Stephen Hawking. Among his many profound contributions to this world was this simple sentiment: “It would not be much of a universe if it wasn’t home to the people you love.”
— Samantha Power (@SamanthaJPower) March 14, 2018

We lost a great one today. Stephen Hawking will be remembered for his incredible contributions to science – making complex theories and concepts more accessible to the masses. He’ll also be remembered for his spirit and unbounded pursuit to gain a complet…https://t.co/z1du859Gy2
— Satya Nadella (@satyanadella) March 14, 2018

Prominent members of the science community including American astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson and artificial intelligence researcher Demis Hassabis remembered Hawking for his genius. “His passing has left an intellectual vacuum in his wake,” deGrasse Tyson said.

His passing has left an intellectual vacuum in his wake. But it's not empty. Think of it as a kind of vacuum energy permeating the fabric of spacetime that defies measure. Stephen Hawking, RIP 1942-2018. pic.twitter.com/nAanMySqkt
— Neil deGrasse Tyson (@neiltyson) March 14, 2018

The world has lost a beautiful mind and an extraordinary human being. Such a privilege to have once had the chance to talk to Stephen about AI. RIP Stephen Hawking pic.twitter.com/w4SPl4RLsX
— Demis Hassabis (@demishassabis) March 14, 2018

Remembering Stephen Hawking, a renowned physicist and ambassador of science. His theories unlocked a universe of possibilities that we & the world are exploring. May you keep flying like superman in microgravity, as you said to astronauts on @Space_Station in 2014 pic.twitter.com/FeR4fd2zZ5
— NASA (@NASA) March 14, 2018

World leaders were among those to express their condolences, with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeting, “His grit and tenacity inspired people all over the world. His demise is anguishing.”

Professor Stephen Hawking was an outstanding scientist and academic. His grit and tenacity inspired people all over the world. His demise is anguishing. Professor Hawking’s pioneering work made our world a better place. May his soul rest in peace.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 14, 2018

Celebrities also posted their tributes and memories of Hawking on social media, including Kumail Nanjiani of Silicon Valley, actress and singer Emmy Rossum, and film director Errol Morris. Morris directed a documentary on Hawking, A Brief History of Time, named after Hawking’s eponymous best-selling book on cosmology.

It had to happen, eventually. We were lucky to have him for so long, and I was lucky to be able to work with him. A truly fabulous human being. Stephen Hawking. Funny, perverse, and, of course, brilliant.
— errolmorris (@errolmorris) March 14, 2018

Farewell to a brilliant mind.
Thank you for being so generous with your knowledge in the brief time you were with us. #ripstephenhawking pic.twitter.com/nUF5oynQWi
— Zoe Saldana (@zoesaldana) March 14, 2018

‘Genius is So Rare and So Fine.’ Mourners all Over the World Pay Tribute to Stephen Hawking

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