John Glenn, the first American to orbit the Earth and former U.S. senator, has died, according to Ohio State University.

"The Ohio State University community deeply mourns the loss of John Glenn, Ohio's consummate public servant and a true American hero. He leaves an undiminished legacy as one of the great people of our time," Michael Drake, president of Ohio State University, said in a statement.

@OhioState: Today, we join the world in mourning the passing of legendary astronaut, senator and Ohioan John Glenn. Drake described Glenn as a "decorated U.S. Marine aviator, legendary NASA astronaut, tireless public servant, and an unparalleled supporter of The John Glenn College of Public Affairs at Ohio State, where he served actively as an adjunct professor until just recently." The 95-year-old former Marine had been hospitalized more than a week ago, a spokesman for the John Glenn College of Public Affairs said in a statement to NBC News. Glenn suffered a stroke two years ago after having heart valve replacement surgery, but it was not clear what caused him to be taken to the James Cancer Hospital at Ohio State.



Astronaut John Glenn, Jr. is loaded into the Friendship 7 capsule in preparation for flight on the Mercury Titan rocket February 20, 1962. Nasa | Getty Images