He wrote over 70 books, and was adored by adults and children alike for his wit, imagination and humour.
With his distinctive black hat and white beard Pratchett, was a recognisable figure in UK literature and became an outspoken advocate for Alzheimer's patients and the right to assisted dying in his later years.
His best quotes give a glimpse into why he became one of Britain's best-known and best-loved creative minds.
Terry Pratchett best quotes
(01 of16)
Open Image Modal"The trouble with having an open mind, of course, is that people will insist on coming along and trying to put things in it." - From Diggers (credit:JON FURNISS/INVISION/AP)
(02 of16)
Open Image Modal“God does not play dice with the universe; He plays an ineffable game of His own devising, which might be compared, from the perspective of any of the other players [i.e. everybody], to being involved in an obscure and complex variant of poker in a pitch-dark room, with blank cards, for infinite stakes, with a Dealer who won't tell you the rules, and who smiles all the time.” - From Good Omens (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
(03 of16)
Open Image Modal“It's still magic even if you know how it's done.” - From A Hat Full of Sky (credit:peteoshea/Flickr)
(04 of16)
Open Image Modal“Just erotic. Nothing kinky. It's the difference between using a feather and using a chicken." - From Eric (credit:Matt Crossick/Matt Crossick)
(05 of16)
Open Image Modal“Give a man a fire and he's warm for a day, but set fire to him and he's warm for the rest of his life.” - From Jingo (credit:SFX Magazine via Getty Images)
(06 of16)
Open Image Modal“Time is a drug. Too much of it kills you.” - From Small Gods (credit:SFX Magazine via Getty Images)
(07 of16)
Open Image Modal“The whole of life is just like watching a film. Only it's as though you always get in ten minutes after the big picture has started, and no-one will tell you the plot, so you have to work it out all yourself from the clues." - From Moving Pictures (credit:anna_t/Flickr)
(08 of16)
Open Image Modal“DON'T THINK OF IT AS DYING, said Death. JUST THINK OF IT AS LEAVING EARLY TO AVOID THE RUSH.” - From Good Omens (credit:Clive Gee/PA Wire)
(09 of16)
Open Image Modal“Sometimes glass glitters more than diamonds because it has more to prove.” - From The Truth (credit:Dominic Lipinski/PA Archive)
(10 of16)
Open Image Modal"In ancient times cats were worshiped as gods; they have not forgotten this." - Quoted in Ghost Cats: Human Encounters with Feline Spirits by Dusty Rainbolt (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
(11 of16)
Open Image Modal“This book was written using 100% recycled words.” - From Wyrd Sisters (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
(12 of16)
Open Image Modal“Chaos is found in greatest abundance wherever order is being sought. It always defeats order, because it is better organised” - From Interesting Times: The Play (credit:SFX Magazine via Getty Images)
(13 of16)
Open Image Modal“Real stupidity beats artificial intelligence every time.” - From Hogfather (credit:firepile/Flickr)
(14 of16)
Open Image Modal“...inside every old person is a young person wondering what happened” - From Moving Pictures (credit:Yui Mok/PA Wire)
(15 of16)
Open Image Modal“Did I do anything last night that suggested I was sane?” - From Going Postal (credit:AFP via Getty Images)
(16 of16)
Open Image Modal“Scientists have calculated that the chances of something so patently absurd actually existing are millions to one. But magicians have calculated that million-to-one chances crop up nine times out of ten.” - From Mort (credit:John Stillwell/PA Archive)
His death was announced to fans on Twitter in a series of messages shortly after 3pm.
The messages read: "AT LAST, SIR TERRY, WE MUST WALK TOGETHER.
"Terry took Death's arm and followed him through the doors and on to the black desert under the endless night.