Jack of All Arts

Alan Turing

A young Alan Turing, dressed in a school uniform and cap, smiles warmly while holding a bundle of sticks over his shoulder. The sepia-toned photograph captures him during his school years, radiating a sense of youthful curiosity and energy.
A young Alan Turing walking outdoors, dressed in a suit and tie, holding a small object or book in one hand while his other hand is in his pocket. The black-and-white photograph shows a street in the background with vintage cars and a person wearing a helmet visible, capturing a candid moment of Turing’s life in an urban setting.
Alan Turing in a formal portrait, wearing a suit and tie. The image captures him with a neutral expression, highlighting his distinctive features and thoughtful demeanor.
A colorized portrait of Alan Turing at the age of 16, wearing a dark green suit and tie with a white shirt. His neatly combed dark hair frames his youthful face, which bears a slight, thoughtful expression. Purple background.
A colorized photograph of Alan Turing as an adult, wearing a light brown suit jacket and a checkered tie. His hair is neatly combed to the side, and he is smiling softly.
A black-and-white portrait of Alan Turing as a young man, dressed formally in a suit and tie. His hair is neatly combed, and he looks slightly off-camera with a calm and composed expression. The photograph reflects his youth.
A colorized portrait of Alan Turing in his later years, dressed in a tweed jacket, white shirt, and blue tie. He faces forward with a slight smile, his eyes reflecting a thoughtful demeanor.
A historical black-and-white photograph of Alan Turing seated at a desk, focusing intently on a document in front of him. He is dressed in a formal suit and tie, with his hair neatly combed, reflecting the academic and professional environment in which he worked.
A young Alan Turing, smiling and seated on a dock with his legs crossed, wearing shorts and a casual shirt. He is accompanied by three friends, all relaxed and enjoying a moment by the water. Small boats are docked nearby, contributing to a serene and cheerful atmosphere, hinting at Turing's lighter, more personal moments away.
Alan Turing crossing the finish line during a race in 1946, wearing a running bib numbered 140. He is dressed in athletic shorts and a sleeveless top, exuding determination. Spectators and officials, some with clipboards, line the grassy track, observing and applauding the moment. The scene highlights Turing's passion for running and his dedication beyond his intellectual pursuits.
Alan Turing seated in a rocking chair on a shaded porch, dressed in a formal suit and tie, reading a book. The relaxed setting is surrounded by greenery and a partially visible window, offering a glimpse into a serene moment of contemplation in his life.
A young Alan Turing sitting casually on the ground with his legs crossed, wearing a blazer, tie, and light-colored trousers. He gazes directly at the camera with a slight smile. Behind him, other young men in formal attire are seated on stone steps, suggesting a school or group setting.
A candid black-and-white photograph of Alan Turing sitting in a classroom or lecture setting. Turing is in the foreground, wearing a suit and patterned tie, slightly turned with a thoughtful expression. In the background, another man, wearing glasses and holding a pipe, appears to be focused on the discussion. A chalkboard is visible, suggesting an academic environment.

Alan Mathison Turing (1912–1954) was a British mathematician, computer scientist, logician, cryptanalyst, philosopher, and theoretical biologist. He is widely considered the father of theoretical computer science and artificial intelligence. Turing’s groundbreaking work during World War II in breaking the German Enigma code saved countless lives and significantly shortened the war. However, his remarkable achievements were overshadowed by the tragic consequences of his persecution for being homosexual in a time when homosexuality was criminalized in the United Kingdom.

Early Life

Turing was born on June 23, 1912, in Maida Vale, London. His parents, Julius Mathison Turing and Ethel Sara Stoney, had Anglo-Irish roots. Raised in southern England, Turing displayed extraordinary intellectual abilities from an early age. His fascination with science and mathematics flourished despite the lack of encouragement from traditional education systems.

Turing’s first school, St. Michael’s in St. Leonards-on-Sea, recognized his genius early on. Later, at Sherborne School, Turing’s natural inclinations for mathematics and science clashed with the institution’s emphasis on classical education. His headmaster doubted his potential, writing to Turing’s parents, “If he is to stay at public school, he must aim at becoming educated.” Nevertheless, Turing’s brilliance shone through. At just 16, he independently grasped Albert Einstein’s questioning of Newtonian physics.

Academic Journey

Turing attended King’s College, Cambridge, where he earned first-class honors in mathematics. In 1938, he completed his PhD at Princeton University under the supervision of Alonzo Church, where he developed the concept of ordinal logic and introduced the Turing machine, a theoretical model that became a cornerstone of computer science. His dissertation, Systems of Logic Based on Ordinals, laid foundational ideas for what would later become artificial intelligence.

Turing’s fellowship at King’s College was awarded on the strength of his work on the central limit theorem, demonstrating his originality even when earlier proofs of the theorem existed. His method and insights were lauded for their ingenuity.

Contributions During World War II

During World War II, Turing worked at Bletchley Park, the UK’s codebreaking center. His work on deciphering the Enigma machine, particularly through the development of the Bombe, was instrumental in intercepting Nazi communications. These efforts were critical in turning the tide of the war, especially in the Battle of the Atlantic.

Turing’s Banburismus technique applied sequential statistical analysis to reduce the number of possible Enigma settings, making the codebreaking process more efficient. His collaboration with fellow cryptanalysts like Gordon Welchman and Hugh Alexander enhanced these methods. Turing’s ingenuity extended to the secure voice communication system codenamed Delilah, though it was never deployed.

Turing’s LGBT Life

Alan Turing’s sexual orientation profoundly influenced his personal life and legacy, set against the backdrop of a deeply repressive era in British history.

Early Awareness and First Love

Turing’s first known romantic attachment was with Christopher Morcom, a classmate at Sherborne School. Morcom’s untimely death in 1930 deeply affected Turing, intensifying his focus on science and mathematics as a way of coping with his grief. Morcom’s influence remained a guiding light in Turing’s life, inspiring his intellectual pursuits. Turing expressed profound philosophical reflections on mortality and the relationship between the physical and spiritual realms in letters to Morcom’s mother.

Secrecy and Duality

Homosexuality in early 20th-century Britain was criminalized under laws that labeled it “gross indecency.” Consequently, Turing’s sexuality was a closely guarded secret for much of his life. His engagement to Joan Clarke, a fellow mathematician and cryptanalyst, revealed the complexity of his personal relationships. Turing was candid with Clarke about his sexual orientation, leading to a mutual decision to end their engagement while maintaining a lifelong friendship.

Post-War Relationships and Persecution

After the war, Turing began to live more openly, navigating a society hostile to same-sex relationships. In December 1951, Turing met Arnold Murray, a 19-year-old unemployed man. Their relationship led to Turing’s home being burgled by an acquaintance of Murray. Reporting the crime inadvertently exposed Turing’s sexuality to authorities. In 1952, Turing was charged with “gross indecency” under Section 11 of the Criminal Law Amendment Act 1885.

Faced with imprisonment, Turing chose probation contingent on undergoing chemical castration through hormone therapy. This treatment, which involved synthetic estrogen, caused devastating physical and psychological effects, including impotence and breast tissue development. The conviction stripped Turing of his security clearance and tarnished his reputation, effectively ending his government work.

Turing’s resilience in the face of persecution was evident. He continued his scientific work, including groundbreaking research on morphogenesis, which explained the chemical basis of biological pattern formation.

Legacy and Recognition

Turing’s persecution highlighted the broader injustice faced by LGBTQ+ individuals during this era. In 2009, a public petition led to a government apology, with Prime Minister Gordon Brown acknowledging the “appalling way” Turing was treated. In 2013, Turing received a royal pardon, and the “Alan Turing Law” was introduced in 2017, retroactively pardoning thousands of individuals convicted under historical anti-homosexuality laws.

Contributions to Computing and Artificial Intelligence

Turing’s work extended beyond cryptography. He conceptualized the Automatic Computing Engine (ACE) and laid the groundwork for modern computing. His 1950 paper “Computing Machinery and Intelligence” introduced the Turing Test, a criterion for machine intelligence that remains influential in the field of artificial intelligence. Turing also designed early chess algorithms, demonstrating his foresight into programming and machine learning.

Tragic Death and Controversy

Turing died on June 7, 1954, from cyanide poisoning at the age of 41. A half-eaten apple found beside his bed led to speculation about whether his death was suicide or an accident. While the coroner’s report ruled it a suicide, alternative theories suggest accidental inhalation of cyanide fumes during a chemical experiment. His mother believed the death was unintentional. Philosophers and biographers have debated whether Turing deliberately left the circumstances ambiguous, shielding his mother from the pain of knowing he may have taken his own life.

Posthumous Recognition

Turing’s contributions are now widely celebrated. In 2019, he was chosen to feature on the UK’s £50 banknote, symbolizing his enduring legacy. Statues, academic institutions, and awards, including the Turing Award, honor his life and work. In 2023, discussions emerged about erecting a statue of Turing on Trafalgar Square’s fourth plinth to commemorate his contributions and resilience.

Legacy in the LGBTQ+ Community

Alan Turing’s life story has become a touchstone in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights. His resilience in the face of systemic discrimination and his monumental contributions to science and society serve as a reminder of the destructive impact of prejudice and the enduring power of human ingenuity. Turing’s name is celebrated at Pride events, and his life is taught in schools as a testament to perseverance and brilliance.

References

  1. Hodges, Andrew. Alan Turing: The Enigma. Princeton University Press, 1983.
  2. Copeland, B. Jack. The Essential Turing. Oxford University Press, 2004.
  3. Leavitt, David. The Man Who Knew Too Much: Alan Turing and the Invention of the Computer. Phoenix, 2007.
  4. “Alan Turing: The Codebreaker Who Saved Millions of Lives,” BBC News, 2012.
  5. “Royal Pardon for Codebreaker Alan Turing,” BBC News, 2013.
  6. “Alan Turing Law: Thousands of Gay Men to Be Pardoned,” The Guardian, 2017.
  7. Turing, Alan. “Computing Machinery and Intelligence,” Mind, 1950.
  8. Mahon, A. P. The History of Hut Eight 1939–1945. National Archives Reference HW 25/2.
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