British theoretical physicist, cosmologist, and author Stephen Hawking died peacefully at his home Wednesday morning. Hawking had suffered from a rare form of ALS from the age of 22, and had not been expected to survive more than a few years. But he not only survived, he went on to propose a unified theory of relativity and quantum mechanics. Hawking also studied black holes, and theorized they emit radiation, which is called Hawking radiation. His 1988 book A Brief History of Time set a record at the top of the British Sunday Times bestseller list for 237 weeks. Despite being confined to a wheelchair, Hawking worked at the University of Cambridge since 1975, rising to the position of Director of Research at the Centre for Theoretical Cosmology. Since 1985, Hawking communicated with the use of a computer-generated voice. He continued to teach and lecture throughout his life. Hawking also wrote numerous books, including children's book, and made many appearance in movies and TV.
In his 2013 memoir he described how he felt when first diagnosed with motor neurone disease.
"I felt it was very unfair - why should this happen to me," he wrote.
"At the time, I thought my life was over and that I would never realise the potential I felt I had. But now, 50 years later, I can be quietly satisfied with my life."
Stephen Hawking was 76.
Reportedly he enjoyed running over people he didn't like and allegedly one of his great regrets in life was never having the chance to run over Thatcher's toes.
Hawking denied this and once said it was just a rumor and if he caught anyone spreading it he'd run over their toes