Alan Turing

Alan Mathison Turing was an English mathematician, computer scientist, logician, cryptanalyst, philosopher, and theoretical biologist. He helped shape theoretical computer science and is often called the father of this field. Turing created the idea of a Turing machine, a model that helps us understand how computers work.

Turing was born in London and grew up in southern England. He studied at King's College, Cambridge, and later earned a doctorate from Princeton University. During World War II, he worked at Bletchley Park, Britain’s codebreaking centre. There, he led a team that helped break German codes, which aided the Allies.

After the war, Turing worked on building early computers and also contributed to mathematical biology. Though he achieved much, he faced hard times because of the laws of his day. Turing died in 1954, but he is now widely honoured. His portrait appears on the Bank of England £50 note, and many awards and ideas carry his name.

Early life and education

Turing was born in Maida Vale, London, in 1912. His father worked for the government in India, but the family lived in Britain. Turing grew up in Britain and went to several schools. He loved mathematics and science.

At Sherborne School, Turing met a friend named Christopher Morcom, who also loved science. Sadly, Morcom passed away, but this made Turing work even harder in his studies. Turing studied mathematics at King's College, Cambridge, where he earned top honors and started researching big ideas in math. His work helped start modern computer science.

Career and research

When Turing returned to Cambridge, he heard talks in 1939 by Ludwig Wittgenstein about the foundations of mathematics. Turing and Wittgenstein had different ideas about mathematics.

During the Second World War, Turing helped break German secret codes at Bletchley Park. Starting in 1938, he worked part-time with the Government Code and Cypher School. He focused on solving the Enigma code used by Nazi Germany. Turing created a better way to solve these puzzles using a machine called the bombe.

Turing was known for being unusual at Bletchley Park. His friends called him “Prof.” One story says that every June, he would ride his bike to work wearing a gas mask because of his hay fever.

It is hard to know exactly how much this secret work changed the war. But one historian thought it may have helped end the war in Europe earlier.

From 1945 to 1947, Turing lived in London and worked on designing one of the first computers, called the ACE (Automatic Computing Engine). In February 1946, he gave a talk about his design. This was before other similar designs.

In 1948, Turing joined the University of Manchester. Soon after, he helped create software for an early computer, the Manchester Mark 1. He also wrote a guide for people using this computer.

In 1948, Turing started working on a chess program with a friend, D.G. Champernowne. By 1950, they finished the program, called the Turochamp.

In 1951, when Turing was 39, he began studying how living things grow patterns. In 1952, he published a paper called "The Chemical Basis of Morphogenesis." He thought that chemicals moving and reacting could explain many natural patterns. In 2023, scientists tested his idea using chia seeds and saw patterns similar to those in nature. This was the first time experiments with plants showed Turing’s math was right.

Personal life

Alan Turing had an interesting life with many unique experiences. In the 1940s, he hid silver bars to keep his savings safe during the war, but later couldn’t remember where he buried them. He also invented a fun game called "round-the-house chess" where players take turns moving chess pieces and running around the house.

Turing proposed marriage to his colleague Joan Clarke, but they did not marry after he shared that he was homosexual. Later, he faced legal trouble when his relationship with another man became known. At the time, this was illegal in the United Kingdom, and he was convicted. As a result, he was barred from certain work and had to undergo medical treatment against his will. Despite these challenges, Turing continued his important work in mathematics and computing.

Death

Alan Turing was found dead in his home on 8 June 1954. The official investigation said he had died the day before from cyanide poisoning. An apple was near him, but it was not tested for cyanide.

Some people, including Turing’s family, have wondered if his death was a suicide. Others think it might have been an accident, perhaps from inhaling fumes during a small experiment at home. Turing’s remains were cremated, and his ashes were scattered in a garden.

Many of Turing’s friends did not think he wanted to harm himself. He had even made plans for things to do after a holiday. The exact circumstances of his death are still not known for sure.

Government apology and pardon

In 2009, a British programmer started a petition asking the government to apologize for how Alan Turing was treated because of his sexuality. The prime minister at the time, Gordon Brown, said sorry for the unfair way Turing was treated.

Later, in 2013, the British government gave Turing a pardon for an old law. This pardon showed that Turing’s important work was valued and admitted that he was treated unfairly. It also helped many other men who were treated the same way.