Enigma codebreaker Alan Turing receives royal pardon

[dipsydoodle]

Alan Turing, the second world war codebreaker who took his own life after undergoing chemical castration following a conviction for homosexual activity, has been granted a posthumous royal pardon 59 years after his death.

The brilliant mathematician, who played a major role in breaking the Enigma code – which arguably shortened the war by at least two years – has been granted a pardon under the Royal Prerogative of Mercy by the Queen, following a request from the justice secretary, Chris Grayling.

Turing was considered to be the father of modern computer science and was most famous for his work in helping to create the "bombe" that cracked messages enciphered with the German Enigma machines. He was convicted of gross indecency in 1952 after admitting a sexual relationship with a man.

He was given experimental chemical castration as a "treatment". His criminal record resulted in the loss of his security clearance and meant he was no longer able to work for Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ), where he had been employed following service at Bletchley Park during the war. He died of cyanide poisoning in 1954, aged 41.

http://www.theguardian.com/science/2013/dec/24/enigma-codebreaker-alan-turing-royal-pardon

[intaglio]

1. Yay!! a bit too f'n late

but, Yay!!

[enlightenment]

2. Yes. The right thing to do.

It cannot right the wrong that was done to him, but at least acknowledges that it was a wrong.

[indepat]

3. Alan Turin's contributions to Allied victory in WWII, the shortening of that war, the blood

and materials not lost, and treasure not expended due to his brilliance, dedication, and sense of purpose were not enough to save him from the vengeance demanded by righteous people doing God's work.