It wasn't just his theories - it was Stephen Hawking's ability to explain science to the everyday person which made him so renowned.

The renowned astrophysicist died peacefully in his home yesterday, aged 76 - more than half a century after he was given a life expectancy of just two years.

His work ranged from the origins of the universe to understanding the mysteries of black holes.

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Astronomy professor Kristine Larson told Kate Hawkesby Hawking wanted to be remembered as a scientist who was disabled, not as a disabled scientist.

"His brain allowed him to be free to roam the cosmos using his imagination and mathematics. In working in collaboration with graduates and other physicists he was able to remain productive in the physics field."

Larson says Hawking's ability to popularise science was just as important as his theoretical work.

"He was a real person. He was mischievous, he was flirtatious; he liked to push the envelope in his scientific papers, he liked to use a little non-scientific language when he could get away with it."

LISTEN ABOVE AS KRISTINE LARSON SPEAKS WITH KATE HAWKESBY