Renowned Greek physicist Giorgos Grammatikakis dies at 84

The Greek physicist Giorgos Grammatikakis has passed away at the age of 84. He had been receiving medical care at the University General Hospital of Iraklio on Crete for several days due to respiratory failure before succumbing on Wednesday morning.

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis mourned the passing of a “brilliant astrophysicist” that leaves a huge void in the academic community.

“He was a creative tour guide for anyone fascinated by the magic of the universe, popularizing its mysteries,” he said

Grammatikakis, author of many influential books such as “The Countess of Berenice,” earned his PhD in experimental high energy physics from Imperial College in London in 1973. In 1982, he became physics professor at the University of Crete and its rector from 1990 to 1996. He was honored with the title of emeritus professor in 2006.

In 2014, as a member of the now-defunct To Potami party, he was elected as an MEP and served in this capacity until 2019.