18/10/2020
Alan Turing was the subject of BBC Radio 4's documentary reflection series “In our Time” on Thursday morning. The mathematical genius was openly gay and atheist at a time when to be either was often frowned on by the establishment. Turing's work helped to break cypher codes during the Second World War and made a significant contribution towards the Allied Victory over the fascist powers in 1945. Sadly, Turing was not well treated by the state to which he had given so much and in 1954 was arrested for a consenting relationship with another man. Mr Turing died from eating a poisoned apple at the age of just 42. However, his legacy goes on and his work allowed for the development of the microcomputer that we all use today. Turing definitely qualifies as a twentieth century gay hero.
