Alan Turing (23 June 1912 – 7 June 1954) was an English mathematician and logician who was highly influential in the development of theoretical computer science.[1]
He provided an influential formalisation of the concepts of algorithm and computation with the Turing machine, which can be considered a model of a general-purpose computer.
Codebreaking
During the Second World War, Turing worked at Bletchley Park, where he devised techniques for breaking German ciphers, including the electromechanical Bombe.[2]
Legacy
The Turing test and the annual Turing Award are named in his honour. In 2013 he received a posthumous royal pardon for his 1952 conviction under laws criminalising homosexuality.
References
- Hodges, A. (1983). Alan Turing: The Enigma. Burnett Books.
- Turing, A. (1936). "On Computable Numbers." Proc. London Math. Soc.
