Mathematics and computing · United Kingdom · 1912–1954
Alan Turing Life & Career Timeline
The foundations of computation, wartime cryptanalysis and machine intelligence.
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ATAlan TuringMathematics and computing · United Kingdom
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About Alan Turing
Alan Turing’s mathematical ideas defined general computation, accelerated Allied codebreaking and opened enduring questions about artificial intelligence.
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Alan Turing biography
Alan Turing timeline: key events
Explore 18 documented Moments in chronological order. Read the dates, locations and source references below. Where available, additional context explains why a milestone matters.
Born in London
Alan Mathison Turing was born while his father served in the Indian Civil Service.
Source: www.bletchleypark.org.ukSherborne School
Turing’s unusual aptitude for mathematics and science developed despite a classical curriculum.
Source: www.bletchleypark.org.ukKing’s College, Cambridge
Turing studied mathematics and became a Fellow of King’s.
Source: www.bletchleypark.org.ukCentral limit theorem work
His dissertation work independently established a form of the central limit theorem.
Source: www.bletchleypark.org.ukOn Computable Numbers
Turing formalised computation through the abstract machine that now bears his name.
Source: www.bletchleypark.org.ukPrinceton studies
He studied mathematical logic under Alonzo Church.
Source: www.bletchleypark.org.ukPhD from Princeton
Turing completed work on systems of logic based on ordinals.
Source: www.bletchleypark.org.ukJoins Bletchley Park
At the outbreak of war, Turing joined Britain’s codebreaking centre.
Source: www.bletchleypark.org.ukThe Bombe
Turing and colleagues developed methods and machinery for finding Enigma settings.
Source: www.bletchleypark.org.ukHut 8 and Naval Enigma
He led work against German naval communications crucial to the Atlantic war.
Source: www.bletchleypark.org.ukAppointed OBE
Turing was honoured for wartime service that remained secret for decades.
Source: www.bletchleypark.org.ukACE computer design
At the National Physical Laboratory he proposed an advanced stored-program computer.
Source: www.bletchleypark.org.ukUniversity of Manchester
Turing joined pioneering computer work and explored machine intelligence.
Source: www.bletchleypark.org.ukComputing Machinery and Intelligence
The paper introduced the imitation game, later known as the Turing Test.
Source: www.bletchleypark.org.ukElected Fellow of the Royal Society
The Royal Society recognised his foundational mathematical work.
Source: www.bletchleypark.org.ukConvicted under anti-gay law
Turing was prosecuted for a consensual relationship and subjected to hormonal treatment.
Source: www.bletchleypark.org.ukDies in Wilmslow
Turing died aged 41; an inquest ruled suicide.
Source: www.bletchleypark.org.ukAppears on the £50 note
The Bank of England placed Turing and imagery from his work on the polymer £50 note.
Source: www.bankofengland.co.ukExplore related timelines
This educational timeline is not endorsed by or affiliated with Alan Turing or their representatives. Event text is original editorial copy based on the linked sources.
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About the Alan Turing timeline
Who is Alan Turing?
Alan Turing’s mathematical ideas defined general computation, accelerated Allied codebreaking and opened enduring questions about artificial intelligence.
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This public timeline currently contains 18 sourced moments spanning 1912–1954.
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