This statue of Alan Turing (June 1912 to June 1954) sits in Sackville Park. There are many celebrations around the world this year, his centenary. Tragically he took his own life by eating a poisoned apple, after being persecuted and prosecuted by antiquated British law, merely for being gay. This after he helped win World War II by developing computers to break the Enigma Code. The Manchester connection is that Alan worked at Manchester University from 1948.
Local Turing events include a mass planting of sunflowers as part of an experiment to solve the mathematical riddle that he worked on. The results will be announced during the Manchester Science Festival 2012 (27 Oct - 4 Nov). Other cultural events connected to Turing’s life and legacy are at MOSI, the Manchester Museum and other spaces. More on the planet-wide centenary events at: http://www.mathcomp.leeds.ac.uk/turing2012/
I thought this photo I took last month of the memorial statue by a pink-blossomed tree was appropriate, in that Turing died whilst his talents were still blossoming, aged just 42. Linked to ABC Wednesdays .
A remarkable man - celebrated after the fact. Unfortunately lots of the world's current governments would do the same, for the same reason.
ReplyDeleteWe went to Bletchley Park a couple of years ago and there's a fantastic sculpture of Alan Turing there, made out of slate. He was a truly brilliant man and his persecution was unforgivable.
ReplyDeleteBrilliant man. Not sure he was persecuted for being gay. However his homosexuality was seen as a security risk. The famous five spies, Blake, Philby etc, had all been Cambridge homosexuals enlisted by Moscow.
ReplyDeletea great tribute
ReplyDeletegreat T :)
ReplyDeleteIt's a shame that he felt like taking his own life. He would have loved this statue. Thanks for sharing this story. Have a great day.
ReplyDeleteWil, ABC Team.
Beautiful post Chrissy. Sad story nevertheless. To think that we are still bullying people for being different nowadays is a shame as well.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful statue.
ReplyDeleteT is for ...
Hope to see you.
Such a sturdy statue!
ReplyDeleteT is for ...
Rose, ABC Wednesday Team
I love seeing this sort of art dotted around the world. Nice picture.
ReplyDeleteA fascinating post about a brilliant man who came to a terribly sad end. It took me to Wikipedia to learn more. I hadn't realized a formal apology was made by the British government in 2009. Another ABC post that has inspired some thought and some learning. Oh, and I like the statue. It seems one could just sit down beside him and "pick his brain."
ReplyDeleteGreat pic Chrissy, and a fitting memorial to a brilliant scientist. I have never actually seen the statue before, and was slightly surprised to see him holding the instrument of his death. Very poignant.
ReplyDeleteHe was rather sadly ahead of his time but that said its great that he is now celebrated.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful...nice take on "T".
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Haven't eaten an apple for ages ...
ReplyDeleteA wonderful tribute, thank you for teaching me something I did not know before. Please have a good Thursday.
did not know this story! sad yet inspirational
ReplyDeleteROG, ABC Wednesday team
The Turing story is one of the saddest things I've learnt about in recent years. This is a lovely post and homage to a man who deserved much better in his short life.
ReplyDeleteIt is great to see the statue and learn more about Turing.
ReplyDeleteWhat a stunning statue, and this was new to me, so happy to learn something new, but sad that he felt no way out, and took his own life. That is very sad.
ReplyDeleteA very nice tribute. I can't even imagine what he must have gone through...
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