Biography of Alan Turing

A name deeply embedded in the history of computer science and mathematics, Alan Mathison
Turing stands as an iconic figure whose work has left an indelible mark in these fields in particular. He
was born on June 23, 1912, in Maida Vale, London, 1912; England. Turing’s life was characterized by
intellectual intelligence and new thinking. This essay delves into the life and contributions of Alan
Turing, focusing on how he left a lasting impact on mathematics and computer science.

Alan Turing’s early life revealed his extraordinary intellectual abilities. Educated at Sherborne School,
he showed a natural talent for mathematics and science. An insatiable thirst for knowledge led him
to King’s College, Cambridge, where he obtained a degree in mathematics. It was at Cambridge that
Turing’s interest in the logical foundations of mathematics began to solidify, setting the stage for his
remarkable contributions. [2] While at Cambridge, he encountered the pioneering work of Kurt
Gödel and the Church of Alonzo. Gödel’s incompleteness theorems and Church’s lambda calculus
greatly influenced Turing’s own insights into mathematical logic and statistics. This state of mind
provided Turing with fertile ground for laying the foundations of computer science.

In 1936 Turing published his seminal paper entitled "On Computable Numbers, with an Application
to the Entscheidungsproblem". In this work, Turing introduced the concept of the Turing machine, a
theoretical construct that has since become a cornerstone of computer science. A Turing machine
represents mathematical computation, consisting of an infinite tape length and a read and write
head. It allows you to create a limited set of instructions to change the icons on the tape. Turing’s
revolutionary insight was that any computation that a human mathematician could do could also be
done by a Turing machine. This idea laid the groundwork for the development of digital computers,
demonstrating the universality of computing devices. Turing's work on the machine Turing
established a theoretical framework for mathematics and algorithms, marking the birth of computer
science as a distinct discipline, and the building of modern computers began [1]. His ideas gave rise
to the concept that any computational problem could be solved by a machine following precise, step
by step instructions, which forms the basis of all contemporary computing systems.

During World War II, Turing’s exceptional talent led to his recruitment to serve in the Allied army. He
was instrumental in deciphering Enigma, the complex encryption system used by the Germans for
secure communications. [3] Turing's work at Bletchley Park alongside other brilliant minds was
crucial to the interpretation of important military messages and his insights into German tactics
Breaking the Enigma code had severe consequences for the Germans, greatly affecting the course of
the war. Turing's contribution to this effort demonstrated the practical application of his theoretical
approach, highlighting the important role that mathematics and statistics can play in concrete
situations.
After World War II, Turing turned his attention to an entirely different field, mathematical biology. In
1952, Turing wrote a paper entitled "The Chemical Basis of Morphogenesis" which represented a
departure from his earlier work but was equally groundbreaking. In this work, Turing explored the
mathematical principles behind pattern formation in nature. Turing proposed a mathematical model
of chemical interaction that could explain the evolution of complex phenomena such as tiger stripes
or spots on elephants from originally identical biological systems. Turing challenged the prevailing
notion that biology relied solely on observations and empirical experiments, arguing that
mathematics could give us deeper insights into fundamental factors that govern life on the subject
and his method continues to influence modern research in biology and biochemistry.

Unfortunately, Alan Turing had a life filled with social prejudice. In 1952, he faced a conviction of
"gross indecency" for his homosexual relations, which were criminalized under the laws of England at
the time. Instead of imprisonment, Turing chose chemical castration, a decision that led to
devastating physical and emotional consequences. On June 7, 1954, Alan Turing passed away at the
age of 41. His death was a great loss to science and humanity. It’s also a stark reminder of the
injustices LGBTQ+ individuals face in a time marked by discrimination and intolerance. Despite his
personal hardships, Turing’s legacy will stand as a symbol of intellectual brilliance and resilience. His
contributions to the foundations of mathematics, computer science, and codebreaking are
unparalleled. [4]

In summary, Alan Turing’s life and work embody the spirit of intellectual exploration and innovation.
His contributions to the foundations of mathematics and computer science revolutionized our
mathematics with the invention of the Turing machine. His attempts to code break during World War
II demonstrated the successful application of his theoretical methods, while his work in
mathematical biology extended mathematics into the biological and social sciences. Turing’s tragic
fate reminds us of the social injustice that marked his life. Let us continue to build after the
foundation from Alan Turing, who will forever be synonymous with the relentless pursuit of
knowledge and the power of mathematical and computational theoretical transformation in our
ever-changing world.

References:

[1] Copeland, B. J. (2019). Alan Turing | Biography, Facts, & Education. In Encyclopædia Britannica.
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Alan-Turing

[2] O’Connor, J. J., & Robertson, E. F. (2003, October). Alan Turing - Biography. Maths History.
https://mathshistory.st-andrews.ac.uk/Biographies/Turing/

[3] Imperial War Museums. (2018). How Alan Turing Cracked The Enigma Code. Imperial War
Museums. https://www.iwm.org.uk/history/how-alan-turing-cracked-the-enigma-code

[4] Cowell, A. (2019, June 5). Overlooked No More: Alan Turing, Condemned Code Breaker and
Computer Visionary. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2019/06/05/obituaries/alan-
turing-overlooked.html