https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg23731702-600-stephen-hawking-was-a-brilliant-ambassador-for-science/

Hawking’s combination of intellect, bravery, charisma – and, yes, his disability – made him the holder of the unofficial title of world’s most famous living scientist. He wielded it brilliantly, often speaking out in defence of science and its values, as well as bringing important issues to wider attention, from the dangers of artificial intelligence to the value of the UK’s National Health Service (see “A brief history of Stephen Hawking: A legacy of paradox”).

His popular writing made the complexities of cosmology accessible to the masses and inspired countless people to study science. Arguably, during the latter half of his career, being Stephen Hawking was what he did best – much like Albert Einstein after his best scientific work was behind him.