The magnificent Westminster
Abbey in central London will be the final resting place of Stephen Hawking. The
ashes of the world-famous British physicist will be interred at the
10th-century Gothic church, it announced on Tuesday – close to the grave of another
legendary British scientist, Sir Isaac Newton, as well as Charles Darwin.
A thanksgiving service will
be held for Hawking later this year. Hawking, a theoretical physicist and
science communicator, died at his home on March 14, age 76. He was one of the
most influential scientists of the modern era, conducting pioneering research on
black holes and the universe. The Cambridge University professor suffered from
neurodegenerative disease ALS, and spent most of his adult life in a
wheelchair, becoming a role model for disabled people.
"It is with great
sadness we announce the death of Professor Stephen Hawking," his family
said in a statement announcing his death. "Professor Hawking died
peacefully at his home in the early hours of this morning."
"His family have kindly
requested that they be given the time and privacy to mourn his passing, but
they would like to thank everyone who has been by Professor Hawking's side –
and supported him – throughout his life."
Westminster Abbey was
originally founded in the 10th century, and construction of the church that
exists today began in the 13th century under the reign of Henry III. It has
played host to royal weddings for centuries, and sits in Westminster, central
London, close to the Houses of Parliament and the iconic Big Ben.
In a statement, the Dean of
Westminster, the Very Reverend Dr John Hall, said: "It is entirely fitting
that the remains of Professor Stephen Hawking are to be buried in the Abbey,
near those of distinguished fellow scientists."
"Sir Isaac Newton was
buried in the Abbey in 1727. Charles Darwin was buried beside Isaac Newton in
1882. Other famous scientists are buried or memorialised nearby, the most
recent burials being those of atomic physicists Ernest Rutherford in 1937 and
Joseph John Thomson in 1940."
"We believe it to be
vital that science and religion work together to seek to answer the great
questions of the mystery of life and of the Universe."
This article was originally
published by Business Insider.
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