World-famous physicist, cosmologist, author and inspiration to millions, Professor Stephen Hawking, has died at the age of 76.

He passed away peacefully at his Cambridge home in the early hours of 14 March, leaving the world grieving for a man who was heralded the most intelligent person on earth… not that he’d ever admit so himself.

Of course, Hawking is best known for his ground-breaking work on the theory of relativity, his scientific work on black holes and being the first person to set out a theory of cosmology. His life has also been represented through popular culture, such as his appearances in The Simpsons and the award-winning, biographical film, The Theory of Everything.

However, it is worth noting that the physicist also identified himself as a feminist ally – a point he made abundantly clear when, last year, he shut down Good Morning Britain presenter and journalist Piers Morgan during an interview.

Morgan had asked Hawking if having five important female leaders at the highest positions in Britain was the “scientific evidence” gender equality needs, and the author wasted no time putting him in his place.

“It is not scientific proof of gender equality that is required, but general acceptance that women are at least the equals of men or better,” he said, before pledging his support for “women’s liberation” and stating that he is a feminist, who has “always supported women’s rights.”

Here, we remember the professor with some of his best quotes, on subjects from love to the depths of the universe, and everything in between.

The best Stephen Hawking quotes about love, life and the universe