A legendary figure in the modern history of physics, Hawking is known for his work with black holes and relativity, despite being bound to wheelchair after contracting a motor neurone disease in 1963 at the age of 21.

He broke new ground on the basic laws which govern the universe, including the revelation that black holes have a temperature and produce radiation, now known as Hawking radiation.

Meanwhile, Hawking sought to explain many of these complex scientific ideas to a wider audience through popular books, most notably his bestseller A Brief History of Time.

In the highest honor of his achievements, Hawking's ashes will be interred at Westminster Abbey in London near the remains of Isaac Newton and Charles Darwin on June 15. In a statement, Cambridge University described Hawking as" an inspiration to millions."

Mei Jianjun, director of the Needham Research Institute in Cambridge, told Xinhua that rarely had a scientist been so effectively engaged with the public as professor Hawking.

"The inspiration and encouragement given by professor Hawking went beyond the scientific field. Maybe not many people understand Hawking radiation, but because of Hawking, people feel so close to the universe and science," said Mei.