Alan Turing, finally pardoned after 61, victim of the 'Establishment'

[al**bear]

Nearly 60 years after his death, Alan Turing, the British mathematician regarded as one of the central figures in the development of the computer, received a formal pardon from Queen Elizabeth II on Monday for his conviction in 1952 on charges of homosexuality, at the time a criminal offense in Britain.

The pardon was announced by the British justice secretary, Chris Grayling, who had made the request to the queen. Mr. Grayling said in a statement that Mr. Turing, whose most remarkable achievement was helping to develop the machines and algorithms that unscrambled the supposedly impenetrable Enigma code used by the Germans in World War II, “deserves to be remembered and recognized for his fantastic contribution to the war effort and his legacy to science.”

The British prime minister, David Cameron, said in a statement: “His action saved countless lives. He also left a remarkable national legacy through his substantial scientific achievements, often being referred to as the ‘father of modern computing.’ ” .

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To gain His release, He had to agree to Chemical castration, and only 2 years later committed suicide

who knows what He could have achieved, if he'd been allowed to continue His Government work. The UK could maybe have began, the modern computer age sooner

[lhasa.two]

That's terrific news.

I hope his family can feel some comfort that justice has been finally given to this clever man. 

Thank goodness this law no longer exists.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-25495315

[al**bear]

BTW

This is very unusual , it is a FULL Queens pardon , unlike the pardon given to WWI Soldiers who were shot for cowardice, they only got a pardon on sentence.

[welsh.goddess]

I am glad to hear this, and his family must be pleased.

What I would like to know is when it will be extended and all people convicted of homosexuality will be pardoned?

Or is this just because of what he acheived?

[bookhunter2007]

About time. Way, way overdue imo.

[**forum-decorum**]

Sadly it isn't going to have any affect/effect on him though is it.

Not going to bring him back though eh?

[aernethril]

It is not only a just decision but fantastic news.

However, it is fairly certain that he did not commit suicide as was believed at the time from a not very well conducted investigation or decision making process.  It was even then by those who knew him well, and is now believed to have been an accident with a better understanding of how such accidents happen.

His death was a great loss, however his legacy lives on within his family in helping others form deprived backgrounds gain access to technology, equipment and training.

Whether others should be similarly pardoned is another matter for each individual case.

[lhasa.two]

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His death was a great loss, however his legacy lives on within his family in helping others form deprived backgrounds gain access to technology, equipment and training.

Whether others should be similarly pardoned is another matter for each individual case.

He didn't come from a deprived background...

I'm not sure what you mean by Whether others should be similarly pardoned is another matter for each individual case. 

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