Alan Turing was an English mathematician and codebreaker during World War II. He is believed to be the founding father of modern computers, and there are theories that the Apple Logo was inspired by his death.
Turing is most known for his work as a codebreaker at Bletchley Park at which he deciphered German codes. His most notable achievement was conquering the “unbreakable” Enigma Code, thus shortening the war by what is estimated to be two years and saving anywhere from 14 to 21 million lives.
In 1952, Turing’s house was robbed. During the investigation, Turing admitted to having sexual relations with a man. Upon entering trial, he planned to plea guilty–a plan which inevitably brought his downfall, when he was found dead at his home from a poisoned apple he’d consumed; it was believed the mode of his death was a suicide. This was orchestrated after a year of hormonal therapy, which was offered instead of two years in prison, that rendered him impotent and caused him to grow breasts.
In 2009, the English government apologized for their ill treatment of Turing, and in 2013, Queen Elizabeth II offered Turing a rare royal pardon. In 2014, he was brought to the big screen by Benedict Cumberbatch in the movie The Imitation Game which sparked protests for further pardons for men who were prosecuted under homophobic laws. Thus, in 2016, the Turing Law was introduced, pardoning over 60,000 men who were prosecuted for homosexual, consensual relations. In July 2019, the government announced Alan Turing would be the face of the 50 pound note, making him the first gay man to receive the honor. The currency was unveiled in March of 2021 and was to be put into circulation on June 23 of that year, honoring Turing’s birthday.
