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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2009
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British PM Apologizes to Gay WWII Codebreaker

Gordon Brown slams 'horrifying' treatment of late mathematician Alan Turing

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(Newser) – Gordon Brown has issued a posthumous apology to WWII codebreaking genius Alan Turing, the Guardian reports. Turing's work cracking German codes helped the Allies win the war, but he was later prosecuted for having a gay relationship. He was chemically castrated after being forced to choose between that or prison, and committed suicide in 1951. His "unique contribution helped  turn the tide of war," making it "all the more horrifying that he was treated so inhumanely," Brown writes in an open letter of apology to the dead man.

Brown describes Turing as a "quite brilliant mathematician" and hails his contribution to "Britain’s fight against the darkness" of dictatorship. "I'm am very proud to say: we’re sorry, you deserved so much better," Brown writes. The prime minister acted after a petition started by a computer scientist seeking an apology for Turing gathered tens of thousands of signatures.

A stature of Alan Turing at Bletchley Park museum.
A stature of Alan Turing at Bletchley Park museum.   (©Loz Flowers)
Mathematician Alan Turing killed himself in 1952 at the age of 41.
Mathematician Alan Turing killed himself in 1952 at the age of 41.   (Public Domain)
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He truly was one of those individuals we can point to whose unique contribution helped to turn the tide of war. The debt of gratitude he is owed makes it all the more horrifying, therefore, that he was treated so inhumanely. - Gordon Brown

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7 comments
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oldgoat
Sep 11, 09 4:12 AM CDT
Everybody should apologize. Without him the war could have been much longer and more deadly. Too bad we are still treating the gays somewhat the same yet in the military. Reply
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+9
IN RESPONSE:
SalParadise
Sep 11, 09 5:06 AM CDT
There's not much you can say to apologize for chemically castrating a man for something entirely out of his (or anyone's) control.
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+5
Altoecko
Sep 11, 09 4:26 AM CDT
His contributions to computer science and artificial intelligence are still used to this day. Reply
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+8
jagerhans
Sep 11, 09 6:50 AM CDT
now they have to make another big public apology for Oscar Wilde ! Reply
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+4
Reader587
Sep 11, 09 10:56 AM CDT
THis is a good step. He deserved so much more, genius that he was. It took hundreds of year for the Vatican to acknowledge Galileo. Tesla was only remembered fondly years after his death. And, yes, Oscar Wilde desrves an apology, too! There is much to atone for in government! Reply
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+4

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