http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2012/dec/14/alan-turing-pardon-stephen-hawking
Turing had an important influence on computing, computer science, artificial intelligence, developmental biology, and the mathematical theory of computability. He is widely considered to be the father of computer science and artificial intelligence.
The Alan Turing Year, 2012, marks the celebration of the life and scientific influence of Alan Turing on the occasion of the centenary of his birth on 23 June 1912.
During World War II he devised a number of techniques for breaking German ciphers, including the method of the bombe, an electromechanical machine that could find settings for the Enigma machine which helped win the war.
After the war, Turing's homosexuality resulted in a criminal prosecution in 1952, when homosexual acts were still illegal in the United Kingdom. He accepted treatment with female hormones as alternative to prison. The cruelty of Turing's treatment, though not exceptional at the time, was made worse because it led to a course of hormone therapy, or "chemical castration".
Turing killed himself from cyanide poisoning two years after being convicted.
Justice Minister Lord McNally said on February 2012: "A posthumous pardon was not considered appropriate as Alan Turing was properly convicted of what at the time was a criminal offence".
What do you think about that?
I didn't know Alan Turing and I have really been surprised about his history. It It is really terrible to be punish for being homosexual.I have liked seeing the videos and what relevant people think about him.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely agree about pushing for an official pardon for him.
What an awful ending for Alan! No wonder he decided to kill himself... I would'nt like to be on his shoes.
ReplyDelete