Turing's Conviction
Turing was a homosexual in a time when homosexuality was illegal. His relationship with Arnold Murray was discovered in January 1952 and he was convicted of "gross indecency".
"The trial, in March 1952, resulted in his being forced to accept injections of oestrogen. He fought hard to prevent this from arresting his work. Unrepentant, open and unashamed, Alan Turing found himself a very isolated figure."
- Andrew Hodges
Gay Rights Activist, Mathematician
Alan Turing died on June 7, 1954 due to cyanide poisoning. Whether he committed suicide remains a mystery to this day.
Gay Rights Activism
Unknowingly, he also left a legacy on the issue of homophobia. Statues have been built at various university and locations to honor his life and demand justice for his conviction.
Turing was a quite brilliant mathematician, most famous for his work on breaking the German Enigma codes. It is no exaggeration to say that, without his outstanding contribution, the history of the Second World War could have been very different. He truly was one of those individuals we can point to whose unique contribution helped to turn the tide of war. The debt of gratitude he is owed makes it all the more horrifying, therefore, that he was treated so inhumanely. ... While Turing was dealt with under the law of the time, and we can't put the clock back, his treatment was of course utterly unfair, and I am pleased to have the chance to say how deeply sorry I and we all are for what happened to him. ... |
"Turing led what was in effect a scientific revolution..."
- Andrew Hodges