Legendary physicist Stephen Hawking passed away today (March 14) at the age of 76.

The British scientist was famed for his work with black holes and relativity, and wrote several popular science books including A Brief History of Time.

Hawking died peacefully at his home in Cambridge, UK, in the early hours of Wednesday, said a family spokesman.

“We are deeply saddened that our beloved father passed away today,” his children Lucy, Robert, and Tim said in a statement.