WWII Hero Alan Turing Becomes First LGBTQ Person on British Currency

Following the many achievements of his life, and the persecution he received for being gay, Alan Turing is finally being honored (timed on what would have been his 109th birthday) and will be the first gay man pictured on British currency.

Turing was known for helping to defeat the Nazis in World War II with his code-breaking machine, or Bombe, being honored by King George VI, and for developing the first computer. However, despite his achievements, he was outed in the “Lavender Scare” in the 50s and ultimately ostracized for being a gay man.

During World War II, he joined the British cause and decoded 89,000 messages per day for the Allied Forces with his code-breaking invention. He was made Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire after the war, and Turing went on to continue his work in computer science. The technology he pioneered led to the development of artificial intelligence and writing the first computer-programming manual.

At the height of the Cold War in the 50s, the U.S. and British governments were targeting and prosecuting gay people as suspected communist sympathizers and threats to national security. Turing was involved with a man, Arnold Murray, at the time, and while police were investigating a burglary at his home, they questioned him about his relationship. In March 1952, both Turing and Murray plead guilty to “gross indecency” charges, and while Murray received a conditional discharge, Turing had to agree to chemical castration to avoid incarceration.

His criminal record also meant he would not have security clearance or be permitted to work for the government while they fought the Cold War.

Turing died by apparent suicide on June 7, 1954, though the cause of death was listed as cyanide poisoning.

“His many contributions to society were still not enough to spare him the appalling treatment to which he was subjected simply because he was gay,” Bank of England Chief Cashier Sarah John tells NBC News.

He has since received a posthumous royal pardon, and England is attempting to go a step further to honor Turing’s memory, adding his face to a £50 bank note. It acts as a symbolic gesture attempting to right historic wrongs.

John says she was personally delighted over the country’s decision to feature Turing’s face. “He was a brilliant scientist whose thinking still shapes our lives today,” John says. “By placing him on this new £50, we are celebrating his life and his achievements, of which we should all be very proud.”

Photo courtesy of Wikimedia.