Senator Edward M. Kennedy Dies at Age 77

Senator Edward M. Kennedy of Massachusetts died late last night at age 77.

Son of one of the most storied families in American politics, Kennedy had seen triumph and tragedy in near-equal measure and will be remembered as one of the most long-serving and effective lawmakers in the history of the Senate.

The death of Mr. Kennedy, who had been battling brain cancer, was announced early Wednesday morning in a statement by the Kennedy family, which was already mourning the death of the Senator’s sister, Eunice Kennedy Shriver, two weeks earlier.

?Edward M. Kennedy ? the husband, father, grandfather, brother and uncle we loved so deeply ? died late Tuesday night at home in Hyannis Port,? the statement read. ?We’ve lost the irreplaceable center of our family and joyous light in our lives, but the inspiration of his faith, optimism, and perseverance will live on in our hearts forever.?

Mr. Kennedy had been in precarious health since he suffered a seizure in May 2008. His doctors determined the cause had been a malignant glioma, a brain tumor that often proves terminal.

We talk with Kevin Cullen, columnist for Boston Globe and Carl Hulse, Chief Congressional correspondent for The New York Times to remember Senator Kennedy’s life.