Bank of England unveils new £50 note featuring Alan Turing

A new £50 note featuring Alan Turing, the scientist best known for his codebreaking work during the second world war, has been unveiled by the Bank of England and will go into circulation on 23 June, the date of his birth.

Turing was prosecuted for homosexual acts in 1952, and an inquest concluded that his death from cyanide poisoning two years later was suicide. The Bank of England governor, Andrew Bailey, said: “I’m delighted that our new £50 features one of Britain’s most important scientists ... He was also gay and was treated appallingly as a result. By placing him on our new polymer £50 banknote, we are celebrating his achievements and the values he symbolises."

[vanmantalks]

I always thought the £50 note was big but this one is insane thats never going to fit in my pocket

[nofham]

The irony is, thanks to Turing, cash has almost become obsolete.

[wanderingkernel]

Shortened WW2 by 2 - 5 years
Saved 14 million people at the lower end of estimates

There has rarely ever been a more deserving person.

[invalide]

nice! now could you please make conversion therapy illegal? it would be a more fitting way to honour his memory

[skmysterion]

Wow, I really like that! The way he was suppressed should never be forgotten

[dusk]

"There's a lot more to Alan Turing than just a white man"

Did I hear that correctly? What is that supposed to mean?

[jaydeeoldboy]

Finally, someone who deserves to be on the new notes.
Unlike replacing Charles Darwin with Jane Austen. One of the worlds most important scientists, after Issacs Newton, vs an author...?

[IneffableGump]

Awww, that's such a nice tribute to one of the most important influencers throughout our history!

[chris_sssss]

Why is the £50 note always so big!? how the frick are we supposed to fit that in our wallets?? It's an absolute joke if you ask me. The bank of England just don't want us to use cash any more and are just making it more and more awkward

[runescapeflow]

how long is it gonna take people to realise that the value of the pound is going down. From Paper to Plastic. Paper is worth more than plastic? WE NEED THE GOLD STANDARD ASAP.

[santosmount]

Hello, I'm new to forex trade And have been making huge losses but I recently see a lot of people earning from it. Can someone please tell me what I'm doing wrong

[Beefkilz]

It's such a shame what happened to him tho.

[flyagaric]

See the late great Heathcote Williams and his epic poem "Forbidden Fruit, or the cybernetic apple core." for the definitive word on Turing. A truly great Englishman.

[ConchTheGabberGreer]

How am I supposed to fit that monstrosity into my wallet?

[jammerman]

Cash ain't going anywhere anytime soon.

[TheBlazingDead]

It's a shame they've put him on a note pretty much only used by drug dealers...

[fatboyfat]

What a joke. For the Bank of England to do this when he's dead. And after he was ridiculed for his sexuality.

[Sinlka]

wish it was the 20, but I'm very happy he's the one who was chosen for the 50 all the same. strange identity politics comment at the end

[DaPs]

Did he really have to say more to him than just a white man!?

As if we’ve put random white people on our currency before 😂

[philip]

'a lot more to Alan Turing than just a white I missing something?