Alan Turing - Celebrating the life of a genius

Saturday 23 June 2012 marks the centenary of the birth of Alan Turing - mathematical genius, hero of the WWII code breakers of Bletchley Park, and father of modern computing.

Alan Turing was a mathematician, cryptographer and pioneer of computer science who possessed one of the greatest brains of the 20th century. His life was one of secret triumphs shadowed by public tragedy.

Presented by Dr James Grime, Enigma Project Officer at the University's Millenium Mathematics Project

[lilyarden]

Nothing more sickening than someone being driven to kill themselves by the very people he helped protect.

[ranerohit]

what an unfortunate end to man who probably saved millions of lives

[chromeinox]

His untimely death is a real shame, and a tremendous loss for math and science in general. Rest in piece, Alan Turing.

[srajustin]

This man deserves a lot more recognition. He should at least be added to the history books. It's so sick to think that other human beings could treat someone like that, who offered so much to this world, to benefit their lives as well as future generations. 

[mradvancego]

One of the intellectually gifted men....ever. His brilliance is matched only by the injustice towards him

[aamerkhan]

"Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former." - Albert Einstein

[floydbrennan]

Also, to those naysayers who constantly rant about how Turing didn't invent the decoding machine, but Polish scientists did- well, you are partly right.  Scientists in Poland DID invent the first decoding machines.  However, Turing drastically improved the technology and one thing that Turing can definitely be credited for is the laying the groundwork for modern computers.  In fact, he was the first scientist to come up with the concept of Artificial Intelligence-- a concept that was FAR ahead of his time.

[johnroberts]

The British government should hold theyre heads in shame!!!! They owed so much to this man and what was his thanks....castration. .what a disgrace. I feel genuinely ashamed to be british and i as many other millions owe this great man, probably our freedom .. RIP Mr Turing...you were one of the true great british pioneers..

[the_glitter_is]

You deserved so much better. I'm so sorry, Alan. We are so thankful and grateful for you.

[genewakeham]

It's 159 million million million.
159 with 18 zeros.
It's often the people who no one imagines anything of who do the things that no one can imagine.

[santiagogalaviz]

Alan Turing is the reason I’m going back to math, I always felt out of place in my math classes but somehow credited for being smart and seeing how he handled being an outcast while seeing something no one else can is probably the closest I’ve come to a role model and an inspiration

[helloha]

The queen of England doesn't need to remit his crime. He had no crime at all.

[revooshnoj]

Without Turing, computers wouldn't exist

[SLK]

Bill Gates and Steve Jobs have nothing on the Genius of Alan Turing, Massive respect and much LOVE to you, an absolute LEGEND, HERO and a TRUE GENTLEMAN. We as a nation are ashamed of our government and what they did to Alan and even more ashamed for how long it took for his posthumous award. May you rest in peace and God Bless You.

[nickjonesCSM]

On the 5th of February 2019 the British public voted him the greatest icon of the twentieth century. The award was presented to his Niece during a live broadcast on BBC Two. It was the culmination of a month long process that involved experts advocating for seven potential winners, all from different fields but all icons in their own right. The list included Nelson Mandela, Ernest Shackleton, David Bowie, Martin Luther King Jr, Muhammad Ali and Pablo Picasso. As the presentation was made you could see the overwhelming emotion in the faces of his relatives.

[macca]

The word hero today is thrown around like confetti, i get so angry when i hear it used to describe a footballer, or pop stars, tv personalities etc, Alan Turing saved lives, now thats an hero

[Teknofobe]

One of the most beautiful human being's i've ever heard of. Disgraceful how treated post war!

[danielboucher]

He was born on June 23rd 1912. 100 years ago! Happy Birthday Alan!

[GianfrancoFronzi]

This man " Alan Turing " was born in the wrong era . To lose such intelligence because of " Homophobia "? Let's not forget this lesson kids .

[LittlefootOnthetrail]

I once saw a video where they talked about what we lost when we lost Alan Turing. They wear saying that with just 5 more years of work a mind like his could of advance computer science by at least 50 years. Just think about that for a second. Think about where we could be right now with such an advanced start. Its sad to think that we tossed it all away for something so moronic as hate. You where a true supper hero Alan Turing. I am so sorry that we as a people could not see that until it was too late.