Peter Higgs, Physicist Who Discovered 'God Particle', Dies At 94

Peter Higgs's 1964 theory of a mass-giving particle, also known as the Higgs boson or the "God particle", won him and Belgian physicist Francois Englert the 2013 Physics Nobel Prize.

British Physicist Peter Higgs, Nobel Laureate for Higgs Boson Theory, Dies at 94 ( Image Source :Getty Images )

British physicist Peter Higgs, whose theory on the existence of the Higgs boson particle, also known as the "God's particle", earned him a Nobel Prize in Physics, passed away at the age of 94, the University of Edinburgh announced on Tuesday, as reported by news agency AFP. 

"He peacefully departed at his residence on Monday 8 April after a brief illness," stated the Scottish university. Higgs has served as a professor for nearly five decades at the same university.

In the statement, the university described him as "an exceptional educator and guide, inspiring numerous young scientists".

"During this time, his family has requested privacy, and we ask the media and public to respect their wishes," the university further added.

All About God Particle Discovery

Higgs used innovative theoretical concepts to elucidate the concept of mass in the Universe. He addressed one of the most significant puzzles in physics. This achievement earned him a place alongside luminaries such as Albert Einstein and Max Planck in the landscape of scientific literature.

His 1964 proposal of a mass-imparting particle, famously dubbed the Higgs boson or the "God particle", led to him and Belgian physicist Francois Englert being jointly awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2013.

The God's particle was discovered after a search of more than 40 years. It was discovered during experiments on the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) at the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) near Geneva, Switzerland on July 4, 2012. 

Considered one of the most important scientific discoveries of the modern era, the Higgs boson lies in the fact that it provides evidence for the Standard Model of Physics, which describes how various particles make the universe. 

"Peter Higgs was an extraordinary individual—an exceptionally talented scientist whose visionary ideas have enhanced our understanding of the universe," Peter Mathieson, Vice Chancellor of the University of Edinburgh, remarked, as reported by AFP. 

"His pioneering contributions have inspired countless scientists, and his legacy will continue to inspire future generations for years to come," he added further.