The Life & Conviction Of Alan Turing - Part 1

Two police detectives arrived at Hollymeade, the home of a faculty member at Victoria University in Manchester. Alan, the occupant, had reported a burglary after a handful of trivial items had been stolen. The detectives did not dispute what Alan was telling them, and they believed the items were almost certainly taken. But they were not there to discuss a petty theft. They were there because while investigating the burglary, they uncovered evidence that led them to believe Alan was gay. In 1952, engaging in homosexual activity was illegal. Like many gay men at that time, he was arrested and faced charges of gross indecency, which could result in a prison sentence. At his trial, he pled guilty, was placed on probation, and made to undergo chemical castration, which would reduce his capacity to be sexually aroused. The hormonal treatment was gruelling and the side effects severe. The detectives who arrested Alan had taken his fingerprints and his photograph, but were unaware of the monumental impact he had on Britain during World War II. On the high end, some estimate the lives he saved at fourteen million, and his efforts were said to have shortened the war by two years. But two years after his conviction, Alan would be dead... (Part 1 of 2).

*** LISTENER CAUTION IS ADVISED ***

This episode was researched and written by Benjamin Fitton.

Narration, audio editing and production direction also by Benjamin Fitton. Script editing, illustrations and production direction by Rosanna Fitton.

More information can be found on our website at http://theywalkamonguspodcast.com

For early advert-free access and other extras, visit https://www.patreon.com/TheyWalkAmongUs

MUSIC:

Iced Spring Theme by Peter Rudenko

Aug 12 by Peter Rudenko

Slow Motion Part 2 by Peter Rudenko

If by Peter Rudenko

When It Rains Part 2 by Peter Rudenko

Inhale Part 2 by Peter Rudenko

Stay 17 by Peter Rudenko

Tranquility by Kevin MacLeod

Reaching Out by Kevin MacLeod

All music sourced from http://freemusicarchive.org and used under an Attribution License - http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

SOCIAL MEDIA:

Twitter - https://twitter.com/TWAU_Podcast

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/theywalkamonguspodcast/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/theywalkamonguspodcast/

Acast - https://www.acast.com/theywalkamongus

We’re running a brief listener survey. As a thank you, completing it gives you the chance to win one of three signed copies of the They Walk Among Us book: https://bit.ly/theywalkamongussurvey2026

Thanks!

Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/theywalkamongus.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.