Sir Tom Stoppard, the celebrated Czech-born British playwright and screenwriter whose career spanned more than six decades, has died at the age of 88. His talent agency confirmed that he passed away peacefully at his home in Dorset, surrounded by his family, marking the end of a remarkable life devoted to literature and the stage.

Stoppard, born Tomas Straussler in 1937 in what was then Czechoslovakia, fled Nazi persecution with his family before eventually settling in England.

He began his professional life as a journalist and critic, later emerging as a defining voice in modern theatre.

His breakthrough came with the 1966 play Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead, a reimagining of Shakespearean characters that established him as one of the most inventive playwrights of his generation.

He went on to create an extensive body of work known for its intellectual richness, linguistic precision and theatrical flair.

Among his major achievements were the Tony Award-winning plays Travesties, The Real Thing, The Coast of Utopia and Leopoldstadt.

His influence extended into film, earning him an Academy Award for co-writing the 1998 film Shakespeare in Love.

His screen credits included contributions to films ranging from Brazil and Empire of the Sun to Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.

Knighted in 1997 for his services to literature, Stoppard became a towering figure in the arts, admired for his ability to balance philosophical depth with emotional resonance.

Tributes from across the theatre and film worlds praised his originality, generosity and unwavering love for language.

Theatres throughout the United Kingdom are expected to dim their lights in his honour later this week.

Stoppard is survived by his children, grandchildren and an extraordinary legacy that will continue to shape and inspire writers, performers and audiences for generations.