The new British 50 pound banknote honors the English mathematician Alan Turing.
This genius scientist distinguished himself for his help in deciphering German messages during World War II.
He also played a central role in the development of the first computers.
During his research, he questioned himself about artificial intelligence and gave birth to the Turing test, which proposes to test the intelligence of a machine by having it converse in writing with a human being.
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In 1952, he was convicted of homosexuality.
To avoid prison, the scientist undergoes chemical castration in the form of treatment with female hormones.
His body will be permanently deformed.
The mathematician will be killed two later, at the age of 42, poisoned with cyanide after having swallowed an apple soaked in poison, inspired by the tale of Snow White, which he loved so much.
Turing is now rehabilitated and celebrated for his discoveries and values by the UK.
In 2009, on behalf of his government, Gordon Brown apologized for the “appalling treatment” his country had reserved for one of its greatest scientists.
“It is no exaggeration to say that, without his exceptional contribution, the story of WWII could have been very different.
He is one of those individuals whose unique contribution can be said to have turned the war upside down ”
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He will be pardoned posthumously by the Queen on December 24, 2013.
Alan Turing replaces on the 50 pound note Matthew Boulton and James Watt, fathers of the steam engine.