Alan Turing was instrumental in beating the Axis Forces during World War II. Considered by many to be the father of theoretical computer science and artificial intelligence, his intelligence contributed to ending one of the world’s bloodiest conflicts. However, he was not awarded for this achievement – quite the opposite in fact. And all because of his sexuality.

In the 1950s, homosexuality was illegal in the United Kingdom. Despite this, Turing was fairly open about his sexual orientation. Having started a relationship at the age of 39, he was later discovered after his fiancee burgled his house and his sexuality emerged during the case. He was imprisoned for ‘indecency.’

One of Turing’s biggest contributions came when the war broke out in 1939. He helped to tackle the very difficult problem of deciphering German naval Enigma, which were a series of codes used by the enemy forces to pass information. By cracking the code, Turing gave the Allied Forces several advantages to beat their enemy before they could act.

Despite his contributions, which included developing more complicated technology to aid the war effort, being homosexual was for the UK at the time too much of a problem. He was forced to take ‘medication’ to correct his sexuality, but it simply affected him negatively.

Turing allegedly took his own life in 1954, found by a maid with a slightly eaten apple. It was discovered that the apple had been laced with cyanide, prompting many to believe he committed suicide. Some however believed Turing was deliberately poisoned due to fear of him leaking vital information in retribution for all the pain he suffered.

Alan Turing was, whatever his actual cause of death, an incredibly intelligent man, scientist, mathematician, logician and philosopher. Granted a pardon by Queen Elizabeth II in 2013, his contributions to science and all of humanity are to be remembered. And his heroic deeds go beyond what other people believe about one’s sexuality.

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Photo Source: DW