LONDON (AP) - The Latest on the death of theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking, whose brilliant mind ranged across time and space though his body was paralyzed by disease (all times local):
10:10 a.m.
Top physicists working at the world’s largest particle accelerator are paying tribute to Stephen Hawking as one of the great “stars” of physics, lauding his impact on their work and his fight against physically debilitating illness.
Director-General Fabiola Gianotti of the European Organization for Nuclear Research, known as CERN, hailed Hawking for the “enthusiasm, vitality and passion for knowledge” that he showed during visits to the Large Hadron Collider and related facilities in and around Geneva.
In a statement after Hawking’s death at age 76 on Wednesday, she said: “He was a brilliant example on how to face disease with courage. He was a warrior.”
CERN’s head of theoretical physics Gian Giudice says Hawking’s work had a “great impact” on research at the organization.
Director for Research and Computing Eckhard Elsen said Hawking “was one of the giants, and stars, of physics of the past century.”
“He has inspired a whole generation with his ability to present complex science in a popular way.”
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9:20 a.m.
The actor who played Stephen Hawking in a film about the scientist’s life has described him as the funniest man he ever met.
Eddie Redmayne, who won an Oscar for his portrayal of Hawking “The Theory of Everything,” paid tribute to Hawking on Wednesday.
Redmayne says: “We have lost a truly beautiful mind, an astonishing scientist and the funniest man I have ever had the pleasure to meet.”
The British actor played the mathematical genius across decades of physical degeneration - all under Hawking’s watchful gaze.
Redmayne said at the time of the film that Hawking wanted to live life to the full - and that he always had a glint in his eye.
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6:05 a.m.
The vice chancellor of the University of Cambridge is praising Stephen Hawking as an inspiration to millions.
Professor Stephen Toope said the 76-year-old Hawking, who died at his home in Cambridge, England, early Wednesday, will be missed all over the world.
Toope said that Hawking’s “exceptional contributions to scientific knowledge and the popularization of science and mathematics have left an indelible legacy.”
Hawking was the best-known theoretical physicist of his time. His body was attacked by amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS, when he was 21, but he stunned doctors by living with the usually fatal illness for more than 50 years.
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4:05 a.m.
A University of Cambridge spokesman says theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking has died.
In a statement, his children Lucy, Robert and Tim called him “a great scientist and an extraordinary man whose work and legacy will live on for many years.”
The best-known theoretical physicist of his time, Hawking wrote so lucidly of the mysteries of space, time and black holes that his book, “A Brief History of Time,” became an international best-seller, making him one of science’s biggest celebrities since Albert Einstein.
Even though his body was attacked by amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS, when Hawking was 21, he stunned doctors by living with the usually fatal illness for more than 50 years.
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