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British physicist Stephen Hawking has led an illustrious group in receiving America's highest civilian honour, the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Mr Obama said Mr Hawking had 'inspired hope'

The world's foremost theoretical physicist was among 16 luminaries to be presented with the award by President Barack Obama at the White House.

Retired Anglican Archbishop Desmond Tutu, former Irish president Mary Robinson and film star Sir Sidney Poitierwere also among the recipients.

On the 67-year-old author of A Brief History of Time, the president said: "From his wheelchair, he has led us on a journey to the farthest and strangest reaches of the cosmos.

"In so doing, he has stirred our imagination and showed us the power of the human spirit.

"Stephen Hawking's attitude and achievements inspire hope, intellectual curiosity, and respect for the tremendous power of science."

Other recipients included Nobel Prize laureate Muhammad Yunes of Bangladesh, a leader in global anti-poverty efforts who pioneered "microloans" to provide credit to poor people.

Civil rights leader the Rev Joseph Lowery and tennis legend Billie Jean King received the medal as well as US Senator Edward Kennedy, who has been battling brain cancer, and former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor.

Mr Obama, awarding his first presidential medals, also made posthumous awards to Jack Kemp, the American football player-turned-politician who died in May, and gay rights activist Harvey Milk, who was assassinated in 1978.