PROFESSOR Stephen Hawking and Sir David Attenborough visited the newly renovated Weston Library this afternoon.

The physicist and broadcaster opened the Bodleian Library’s Mark of Genius exhibition at a private event ahead of the Broad Street library’s public opening tomorrow.

They were also each awarded the Bodley Medal, reserved for individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the worlds of culture, learning, science and communication.

Prof Hawking, 73, best known for his groundbreaking studies of the cosmos, was born in Oxford and now directs research at Cambridge University’s department of applied mathematics and theoretical physics.

His life and struggles with motor neuron disease was recently the subject of the biopic The Theory of Everything, starring Eddie Redmayne.

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Prof Hawking said: “I hope thousands of people, young and old, will visit the exhibition and be inspired to develop ideas of their own, to experiment, try out new ways of thinking, and share their ideas with others.”

Sir David, 88, added: “The exhibition shows the importance of libraries as places where knowledge is preserved and shared from one generation to the next.”

The Grade-II listed Weston Library, formerly called the New Bodleian, opens tomorrow morning to the public, after an £80m renovation.

This weekend it will host a series of free public events, including behind-the-scenes tours, exhibitions and lectures.

For more information visit bodleian.ox.ac.uk/whatson