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Alan Turing: Who Is He? Why Is He Famous & When Did The WW2 Hero Die?

Alan Turing: Who Is He? Why Is He Famous & When Did The WW2 Hero Die?

Turing changed the world after cracking the Enigma code to shorten WW2 and save countless lives

Mark Cunliffe

Mark Cunliffe

The greatest icon of the 20th Century, Alan Turing is now the face of the UK's brand new £50 note. The whole unveiling was streamed by The Bank Of England live on YouTube.

The Bank received 227,299 nominations which led to a list of 989 eligible names of people who are real, deceased and have contributed to science. We're taking a closer look at the deserved winner.

Alan Turing to feature on the next £50 note.
PA

Introduced by The Bank of England in the Manchester Science and Industry Museum, a spokesperson said: "We were overwhelmed by the response.

"We worked with the banknote advisory committee to create a 12-person shortlist."

He continued: "This shortlist epitomised the breadth and depth of scientific achievement in this country.

"Each of those in the shortlist are very worthy of celebration."

Unfortunately, there could only be one winner, and outstanding mathematician and father of computer science, Alan Turing got the vote.

Who was Alan Turing?

At the start of World War Two, Turing, along with other mathematicians, was recruited to break enemy codes. Working at Bletchley Park, Turing built a machine called a Bombe.

Alan Turing.
PA

It sped-up code-cracking efforts from weeks to hours by trying multiple permutations.

The information they gained helped the Allies get an upper hand in the war, it was even said his work helped bring a sooner end to the war.

He wasn't just an amazing scientist, but he's become an icon in the LGBTQ world - Turing was gay; however, he lived during a time it was illegal to be homosexual in the UK.

Ultimately, he ended up being arrested for gross indecency in 1952 and given a stark choice between prison and chemical castration - he chose the castration.

When did Alan Turing Die?

Enduring the castration and controversy surrounding his sexuality made Turing suffer not only physically, but mentally and he was said to have committed suicide in 1954.

Alan Turing Memorial in Manchester.
PA

He was immortalised on the big screen with the 2015 film The Imitation Game where he was portrayed by Benedict Cumberbatch. He was eventually posthumously pardoned for his 'crimes' in 2013.

Featured Image Credit: SWNS

Topics: World News, UK News, Money